Isoquinoline derivatives and use thereof

ABSTRACT

The Invention provides compounds of Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, N-oxides, or diastereomers thereof: wherein W1, W2, W3, J1, J2, A, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, a, and b are defined as set forth in the specification. The Invention also provides uses of the compounds of any one of Formulae (I)-(VIII) and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, N-oxides, or diastereomers thereof. Compounds of the Invention are useful for treating a disorder responsive to blockade of one or more sodium channels. In certain embodiments, Compounds of the Invention are useful for treating pain.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is in the field of medicinal chemistry. The Invention provides novel isoquinoline derivatives. In certain embodiments, the isoquinoline derivatives are useful for treating a disorder responsive to blockade of one or more sodium channels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) are found in all excitable cells. In neuronal cells of the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) sodium channels are primarily responsible for generating the rapid upstroke of the action potential. In this manner sodium channels are essential to the initiation and propagation of electrical signals in the nervous system. Proper function of sodium channels is therefore necessary for normal function of the neuron. Consequently, aberrant sodium channel function is thought to underlie a variety of medical disorders (See Hubner et al., Hum. Mol. Genet. 11:2435-2445 (2002) for a general review of inherited ion channel disorders) including epilepsy (Yogeeswari et al, Curr. Drug Target 5:589-602 (2004)), arrhythmia (Noble, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 99:5755-5756 (2002)), myotonia (Cannon. Kidney Int. 57:772-779 (2000)), and pain (Wood et al., J. Neurobiol., 61:55-71 (2004)).

VGSCs are composed of one α-subunit, which forms the core of the channel and is responsible for voltage-dependent gating and ion permeation, and several auxiliary β-subunits (see, e.g., Chahine et al., CNS & Neurological Disorders-Drug Targets 7:144-158 (2008) and Kyle and Ilyin, J. Med. Chen. 50:2583-2588 (2007)). α-Subunits are large proteins composed of four homologous domains. Each domain contains six α-helical transmembrane spanning segments. There are currently nine known members of the family of voltage-gated sodium channel α-subunits. Names for this family include SCNx, SCNAx. and Na_(v)x.x (sec TABLE 1, below). The VGSC family has been phylogenetically divided into two subfamilies Na_(v)1.x (all but SCN6A) and Na_(v)2.x (SCN6A). The Na_(v)1.x subfamily can be functionally subdivided into two groups, those which are sensitive to blocking by tetrodotoxin (TX-sensitive or TTX-s) and those which are resistant to blocking by tetrodotoxin (TTX-resistant or TTX-r). There are three members of the subgroup of TTX-resistant sodium channels. The SCN5A gene product (Na_(v)1.5. Hl) is almost exclusively expressed in cardiac tissue and has been shown to underlie a variety of cardiac arrhythmias and other conduction disorders (Liu et al., Am. J. Pharmacogenomics 3:173-179 (2003)). Consequently, blockers of Na_(v)1.5 have found clinical utility in treatment of such disorders (Srivatsa et al., Curr. Cardiol. Rep. 4:401-410 (2002)). The remaining TTX-resistant sodium channels, Na_(v)1.8 (SCNI0A, PN3, SNS) and Na_(v)1.9 (SCN11A, NaN, SNS2) are expressed in the peripheral nervous system and show preferential expression in primary nociceptive neurons. Human genetic variants of these channels have not been associated with any inherited clinical disorder. However, aberrant expression of Na_(v)1.8 has been found in the CNS of human multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and also in a rodent model of MS (Black et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 97:11598-115602 (2000)). Evidence for involvement in nociception is both associative (preferential expression in nociceptive neurons) and direct (genetic knockout). Na_(v)1.8-null mice exhibited typical nociceptive behavior in response to acute noxious stimulation but had significant deficits in referred pain and hyperalgesia (Laird et al., J. Neurosci. 22:8352-8356 (2002)).

TABLE 1 Voltage-gated sodium channel gene family Gene Tissue TTX IC₅₀ Disease Type Symbol Distribution (nM) Association Indications Na_(v)1.1 SCN1A CNS/PNS 10 Epilepsy Pain, seizures, neurodegeneration Na_(v)1.2 SCN2A CNS 10 Epilepsy Epilepsy, neurodegeneration Na_(v)1.3 SCN3A CNS 15 — Pain Na_(v)1.4 SCN4A Skeletal muscle 25 Myotonia Myotonia Na_(v)1.5 SCN5A Heart muscle 2,000 Arrhythmia Arrhythmia Na_(v)1.6 SCN8A CNS/PNS 6 — Pain, movement disorders Na_(v)1.7 SCN9A PNS 25 Erythermalgia Pain Na_(v)1.8 SCN10A PNS 50,000 — Pain Na_(v)1.9 SCN11A PNS 1,000 — Pain

The Na_(v)1.7 (PN1, SCN9A) VGSC is sensitive to blocking by tetrodotoxin and is preferentially expressed in peripheral sympathetic and sensory neurons. The SCN9A gene has been cloned from a number of species, including human, rat, and rabbit and shows ˜90% amino acid identity between the human and rat genes (Toledo-Aral et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94:1527-1532 (1997)).

An increasing body of evidence suggests that Na_(v)1.7 plays a key role in various pain states, including acute, inflammatory and/or neuropathic pain. Deletion of the SCN9A gene in nociceptive neurons of mice led to an increase in mechanical and thermal pain thresholds and reduction or abolition of inflammatory pain responses (Nassar et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 101:12706-12711 (2004)).

Sodium channel-blocking agents have been reported to be effective in the treatment of various disease states, and have found particular use as local anesthetics, e.g., lidocaine and bupivacaine, and in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, e.g., propafenone and amiodarone, and epilepsy, e.g., lamotrigine, phenytoin and carbamazepine (see Clare et al., Drug Discovery Today 5:506-510 (2000); Lai et al., Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 44:371-397 (2004); Anger et al., J. Med. Chem. 44:115-137 (2001), and Catterall, Trends Pharmacol. Sci. 8:57-65 (1987)). Each of these agents is believed to act by interfering with the rapid influx of sodium ions.

Other sodium channel blockers such as BW619C89 and lifarizine have been shown to be neuroprotective in animal models of global and focal ischemia (Graham et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 269:854-859 (1994); Brown et al., British J. Pharmacol. 115:1425-1432 (1995)).

It has also been reported that sodium channel-blocking agents can be useful in the treatment of pain, including acute, chronic, inflammatory, neuropathic, and other types of pain such as rectal, ocular, and submandibular pain typically associated with paroxysmal extreme pain disorder; see, for example, Kyle and Ilyin., J. Med. Chem. 50:2583-2588 (2007); Wood et al., J. Neurobiol. 61:55-71 (2004); Baker et al., TRENDS in Pharmacological Sciences 22:27-31 (2001); and Lai et al., Current Opinion in Neurobiology 13:291-297 (2003): the treatment of neurological disorders such as epilepsy, seizures, epilepsy with febrile seizures, epilepsy with benign familial neonatal infantile seizures, inherited pain disorders, e.g., primary erthermalgia and paroxysmal extreme pain disorder, familial hemiplegic migraine, and movement disorder: and the treatment of other psychiatric disorders such as autism, cerebellar atrophy, ataxia, and mental retardation; see, for example, Chahine et al., CNS & Neurological Disorders-Drug Targets 7:144-158 (2008) and Meisler and Kearney, J. Clin. Invest. 115:2010-2017 (2005). In addition to the above-mentioned clinical uses, carbamazepine, lidocaine and phenytoin are used to treat neuropathic pain, such as from trigeminal neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy and other forms of nerve damage (Taylor and Meldrum, Trends Pharmacol. Sci. 16:309-316 (1995)). Furthermore, based on a number of similarities between chronic pain and tinnitus, (Moller, Am. J. Otol. 18:577-585 (1997); Tonndorf, Hear. Res. 28:271-275 (1987)) it has been proposed that tinnitus should be viewed as a form of chronic pain sensation (Simpson, et al., Tip. 20:12-18 (1999)). Indeed, lidocaine and carbamazepine have been shown to be efficacious in treating tinnitus (Majumdar, B. et al., Clin. Otolaryngol. 8:175-180 (1983); Donaldson, Laryngol. Otol. 95:947-951 (1981)).

Many patients with either acute or chronic pain disorders respond poorly to current pain therapies, and the development of resistance or insensitivity to opiates is common. In addition, many of the currently available treatments have undesirable side effects.

In view of the limited efficacy and/or unacceptable side-effects of the currently available agents, there is a pressing need for more effective and safer analgesics that work by blocking sodium channels.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the Invention provides isoquinoline derivatives as represented by Formulae I-VIII, provided infra., and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, N-oxides, and diastereomers thereof, collectively referred to herein as “Compounds of the Invention”.

In another aspect, the Invention provides the use of Compounds of the Invention to treat pain. In certain embodiments, Compounds of the Invention act as blockers of one or more sodium (Na⁺) channels.

In another aspect, the Invention provides a method for treating a disorder responsive to blockade of one or more sodium channels in a mammal, comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a Compound of the Invention.

Thus, the Invention also provides a method for treating pain (e.g., acute pain, chronic pain, which includes but is not limited to, neuropathic pain, postoperative pain, and inflammatory pain, or surgical pain), comprising administering an effective amount of a Compound of the Invention to a mammal in need of such treatment.

In one embodiment, the Invention provides a method for preemptive or palliative treatment of pain by administering an effective amount of a Compound of the Invention to a mammal in need of such treatment.

Further, the Invention provides a method for treating stroke, neuronal damage resulting from head trauma, epilepsy, seizures, general epilepsy with febrile seizures, severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy, neuronal loss following global and focal ischemia, migraine, familial primary erythromelalgia, paroxysmal extreme pain disorder, cerebellar atrophy, ataxia, dystonia, tremor, mental retardation, autism, a neurodegenerative disorder (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Parkinson's disease), manic depression, tinnitus, myotonia, a movement disorder, or cardiac arrhythmia, or providing local anesthesia, comprising administering an effective amount of a Compound of the Invention to a mammal in need of such treatment.

In another aspect, the Invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a Compound of the Invention and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.

The Invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition for treating a disorder responsive to blockade of one or more sodium ion channels, wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises an effective amount of a Compound of the Invention in a mixture with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.

In a separate aspect, the Invention provides a method of modulating one or more sodium channels in a mammal, comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of at least one Compound of the Invention.

In still another aspect, the Invention provides a Compound of the Invention for use in treating pain in a mammal, e.g., acute pain, chronic pain, which includes, but is not limited to, neuropathic pain, postoperative pain, and inflammatory pain, or surgical pain.

Moreover, the Invention provides Compounds of the Invention for use in treating stroke, neuronal damage resulting from head trauma, epilepsy, seizures, general epilepsy with febrile seizures, severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy, neuronal loss following global and focal ischemia, migraine, familial primary erythromelalgia, paroxysmal extreme pain disorder, cerebellar atrophy, ataxia, dystonia, tremor, mental retardation, autism, a neurodegenerative disorder (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Parkinson's disease), manic depression, tinnitus, myotonia, a movement disorder, or cardiac arrhythmia, or providing local anesthesia, in a mammal.

In still another aspect, the Invention provides a radiolabeled Compound of the Invention and the use of such compounds as radioligands in any appropriately selected competitive binding assays and screening methodologies. Thus, the Invention further provides a method for screening a candidate compound for its ability to bind to a sodium channel or sodium channel subunit using a radiolabeled Compound of the Invention.

In certain embodiments, a Compound of the Invention is radiolabeled with ³H, ¹¹C, or ¹⁴C. A competitive binding assay can be conducted using any appropriately selected methodology. In one embodiment, the screening method comprises: i) introducing a fixed concentration of the radiolabeled compound to an in vitro preparation comprising a soluble or membrane-associated sodium channel, subunit or fragment under conditions that permit the radiolabeled compound to bind to the channel, subunit or fragment, respectively, to form a conjugate; ii) titrating the conjugate with a candidate compound; and iii) determining the ability of the candidate compound to displace the radiolabeled compound from said channel, subunit or fragment.

In another aspect, the Invention provides a Compound of the Invention for use in the manufacture of a medicament for treating pain in a mammal. In one embodiment, the Invention provides the use of a Compound of the Invention in the manufacture of a medicament for palliative or preemptive treatment of pain, such as, acute pain, chronic pain, or surgical pain.

A Compound of the Invention can be used in the manufacture of a medicament for treating stroke, neuronal damage resulting from head trauma, epilepsy, seizures, general epilepsy with febrile seizures, severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy, neuronal loss following global and focal ischemia, migraine, familial primary erythromelalgia, paroxysmal extreme pain disorder, cerebellar atrophy, ataxia, dystonia, tremor, mental retardation, autism, a neurodegenarative disorder (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Parkinson's disease), manic depression, tinnitus, myotonia, a movement disorder, or cardiac arrhythmia, or providing local anesthesia, in a mammal.

Additional embodiments and advantages of the Invention will be set forth, in part, in the description that follows, and will flow from the description, or can be learned by practice the Invention. The embodiments and advantages of the Invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing summary and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the Invention as claimed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

Before a further description of the invention, and in order that the invention may be more readily understood, certain terms are first defined and collected herein for convenience.

The term “alkyl” as used by itself or as part of another group refers to a straight- or branched-chain aliphatic hydrocarbon containing one to twelve carbon atoms (i.e., C₁₋₁₂ alkyl) or the number of carbon atoms designated (i.e., a C₁ alkyl such as methyl, a C₂ alkyl such as ethyl, a C₃ alkyl such as propyl or isopropyl, etc.). In one embodiment, the alkyl group is chosen from a straight chain C₁₋₁₀ alkyl group. In another embodiment, the alkyl group is chosen from a branched chain C₃₋₁₀ alkyl group. In another embodiment, the alkyl group is chosen from a straight chain C₁₋₆ alkyl group. In another embodiment, the alkyl group is chosen from a branched chain C₃₋₆, alkyl group. In another embodiment, the alkyl group is chosen from a straight chain C₁₋₄ alkyl group. In another embodiment, the alkyl group is chosen from a branched chain C₃₋₄ alkyl group. In another embodiment, the alkyl group is chosen from a straight or branched chain C₃ alkyl group. Non-limiting exemplary C₁₋₁₀ alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, see-butyl, tert-butyl, iso-butyl, 3-pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, and the like. Non-limiting exemplary C₁₋₄ alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, and iso-butyl.

The term “optionally substituted alkyl” as used herein by itself or as part of another group means that the alkyl as defined above is either unsubstituted or substituted with one or more (e.g., one, two, or three) substituents independently selected from the group consisting of amino, (alkyl)amino, (alkyl)carbonyl, (aryl)carbonyl, (alkoxy)carbonyl, [(alkoxy)carbonyl]amino, carboxy, aryl, heteroaryl, ureido, guanidino, halogen, sulfonamido, hydroxyl, (alkyl)sulfanyl, nitro, haloalkoxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy, (alkyl)sulfonyl, (cycloalkyl)sulfonyl, (aryl)sulfonyl, cycloalkyl, sulfanyl, carboxamido, heterocyclyl, (heterocyclyl)sulfonyl, and the like. In one embodiment, the optionally substituted alkyl is substituted with two substituents. In another embodiment, the optionally substituted alkyl is substituted with one substituent. Non-limiting exemplary optionally substituted alkyl groups include —CH(CH₃)CONH₂, —CH₂CH₂NO₂, —CH(OH)CH₂(OH), —CH(OH)CH(OH)CONH₂, —CF₃, —CH₂CH₂CO₂H, —CH₂Ph-OH, —CH₂SH, —CH₂CO₂H, —CH(CH₃)OH, —CH₂CH₂—CH₂NC(═NH)NH₂, —CH₂CH₂SCH₃, —CH₂CH₂COPh, —CH₂C₆H₁₁, and the like.

As used herein, the term “cycloalkyl” by itself or as part of another group refer to saturated and partially unsaturated (containing one or two double bonds) cyclic aliphatic hydrocarbons containing one to three rings having from three to twelve carbon atoms (i.e., C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkyl) or the number of carbons designated. In one embodiment, the cycloalkyl group has two rings. In one embodiment, the cycloalkyl group has one ring. In another embodiment, the cycloalkyl group is a saturated or unsaturated C₃₋₄ cycloalkyl group. In another embodiment, the cycloalkyl group is a saturated or unsaturated C₅₋₆ cycloalkyl group. Non-limiting exemplary cycloalkyl groups include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, norbornyl, decalin, adamantyl, cyclohexenyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, and the like.

As used herein, the term “optionally substituted cycloalkyl” by itself or as pan of another group means that the cycloalkyl as defined above is either unsubstituted or substituted with one, two, or three substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, amino, (alkyl)amino, (dialkyl)amino, haloalkyl, (hydroxyl)alkyl, (dihydroxy)alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy, alkylthio, carboxamido, sulfonamido, (alkyl)carbonyl. (aryl)carbonyl, (alkyl)sulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, ureido, guanidino, carboxy, (carboxy)alkyl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, (alkoxy)alkyl, (amino)alkyl, (hydroxyl)alkylamino, (alkylamino)alkyl. (dialkylamino)alkyl, (cyano)alkyl, (carboxamido)alkyl, (alkyl)sulfanyl, (heterocyclo)alkyl, (heteroaryl)alkyl, (alkoxy)carbonyl, mercaptoalkyl, and the like. In one embodiment, the optionally substituted cycloalkyl is substituted with two substituents. In another embodiment, the optionally substituted cycloalkyl is substituted with one substituent. Non-limiting exemplary optionally substituted cycloalkyl groups include:

As used herein, the term “alkenyl” by itself or as part of another group refers to an alkyl group as defined above containing one, two or three carbon-to-carbon double bonds. In one embodiment, the alkenyl group is chosen from a C₂₋₆ alkenyl group. In another embodiment, the alkenyl group is chosen from a C₂₋₄ alkenyl group. Non-limiting exemplary alkenyl groups include ethenyl, propenyl, isopropenyl, butenyl, sec-butenyl, pentenyl, and hexenyl.

As used herein, the term “optionally substituted alkenyl” by itself or as part of another group means the alkenyl as defined above is either unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, amino, (alkyl)amino, (dialkyl)amino, haloalkyl, (hydroxy)alkyl, (dihydroxy)alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy, (alkyl)sulfanyl, carboxamido, sulfonamido, (alkyl)carbonyl, (aryl)carbonyl, (alkyl)sulfonyl, (aryl)sulfonyl, ureido, guanidino, carboxy, (carboxy)alkyl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, and heterocyclyl.

As used herein, the term “alkynyl” by itself or as part of another group refers to an alkyl group as defined above containing one to three carbon-to-carbon triple bonds. In one embodiment, the alkynyl has one carbon-to-carbon triple bond. In one embodiment, the alkynyl group is chosen from a C₂₋₆ alkynyl group. In another embodiment, the alkynyl group is chosen from a C₂₋₄ alkynyl group. Non-limiting exemplary alkynyl groups include ethynyl, propynyl, butynyl, 2-butynyl, pentynyl, and hexynyl groups.

As used herein, the term “optionally substituted alkynyl” by itself or as part of another group means the alkynyl as defined above is either unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, haloalkyl, (hydroxy)alkyl, (dihydroxy)alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy, (alkyl)sulfanyl, carboxamido, sulfonamido, alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, ureido, guanidino, carboxy, (carboxy)alkyl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, and the like.

As used herein, the term “haloalkyl” by itself or as part of another group refers to an alkyl group substituted by one or more fluorine, chlorine, bromine and/or iodine atoms. In one embodiment, the alkyl group is substituted by one, two, or three fluorine and/or chlorine atoms. In another embodiment, the haloalkyl group is chosen from a C₁₋₄ haloalkyl group. Non-limiting exemplary haloalkyl groups include fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, 1,1-difluoroethyl, 2,2-difluoroethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl, 4,4,4-trifluorobutyl, and trichloromethyl groups.

As used herein, the term “hydroxyalkyl” or “(hydroxy)alkyl” (also as “(hydroxyl)alkyl”) by itself or as part of another group refers to an alkyl group substituted with one hydroxy group, i.e., the hydroxyalkyl group is a monohydroxyalkyl group. i.e., substituted with one hydroxy group. In one embodiment, the (hydroxy)alkyl group is chosen from a CIA hydroxyalkyl group. Non-limiting exemplary (hydroxy)alkyl groups include (hydroxy)methyl, (hydroxy)ethyl, (hydroxy)propyl and (hydroxy)butyl groups, such as 1-hydroxylethyl, 2-hydroxylethyl, 2-hydroxylpropyl, 3-hydroxylpropyl, 3-hydroxybutyl, 4-hydroxybutyl, and 2-hydroxyl-1-methylpropyl.

As used herein, the term “dihydroxyalkyl” or “(dihydroxy)alkyl” by itself or as part of another group refers to an alkyl group substituted with two hydroxy groups. e.g.,

Non-limiting exemplary (dihydroxy)alkyl groups include, such as 1,2-dihydroxyethyl, and 1,3-dihydroxyprop-2-yl.

As used herein, the terms “(cycloalkyl)alkyl” or “optionally substituted (cycloalkyl)alkyl” by themselves or as part of another group refers to an alkyl group substituted with one, two, or three optionally substituted cycloalkyl groups. In one embodiment, the (cycloalkyl)alkyl group is a CIA alkyl substituted with one optionally substituted cycloalkyl group. In one embodiment, the (cycloalkyl)alkyl group is a C₁ or C₂ alkyl substituted with one optionally substituted cycloalkyl group. In one embodiment, the (cycloalkyl)alkyl group is a C₁ or C₂ alkyl substituted with one cycloalkyl group. Non-limiting exemplary cycloalkyl)alkyl groups include:

As used herein, the term “alkoxy” by itself or as part of another group refers to an optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, or optionally substituted alkynyl attached to a terminal oxygen atom. In one embodiment, the alkoxy group is chosen from a C₁₋₄ alkoxy group. In another embodiment, the alkoxy group is chosen from a C₁₋₄ alkyl attached to a terminal oxygen atom, e.g., methoxy, ethoxy, and tert-butoxy.

As used herein, the term “alkoxyalkyl” or “(alkoxy)alkyl” by itself or as part of another group refers to an alkyl group substituted with an alkoxy group. Non-limiting exemplary alkoxyalkyl groups include methoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, methoxybutyl, ethoxymethyl, ethoxyethyl, ethoxypropyl, ethoxybutyl, propoxymethyl, iso-propoxymethyl, propoxyethyl, propoxypropyl, butoxymethyl, tert-butoxymethyl, isobutoxymethyl, sec-butoxymethyl, and pentyloxymethyl.

As used herein, the term “haloalkoxy” by itself or as part of another group refers to a haloalkyl attached to a terminal oxygen atom. Non-limiting exemplary haloalkoxy groups include fluoromethoxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, and 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy.

As used herein, the term “aryl” by itself or as part of another group refers to a monocyclic or bicyclic aromatic ring system having from six to fourteen carbon atoms (i.e., C₆-C₁₄ aryl). Non-limiting exemplary aryl groups include phenyl (abbreviated as “Ph”), naphthyl, phenanthryl, anthracyl, indenyl, azulenyl, biphenyl, biphenylenyl, and fluorenyl groups. In one embodiment, the aryl group is chosen from phenyl or naphthyl.

As used herein, the term “optionally substituted aryl” by itself or as part of another group means that the aryl as defined above is either unsubstituted or substituted with one to five substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, haloalkyl, (hydroxy)alkyl, (dihydroxy)alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, aralkyloxy, alkylthio, carboxamido, sulfonamido, (alkyl)carbonyl, (aryl)carbonyl. (alkyl)sulfonyl, (aryl)sulfonyl, ureido, guanidino, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclo. (alkoxy)alkyl, (amino)alkyl, [(hydroxyl)alkyl]amino, [(alkyl)amino]alkyl, [(dialkyl)amino)alkyl, (cyano)alkyl, (carboxamido)alkyl, mercaptoalkyl, (heterocyclo)alkyl, (cycloalkylamino)alkyl, (halo(C₁-C₄)alkoxy)alkyl, (heteroaryl)alkyl, and the like. In one embodiment, the optionally substituted aryl is an optionally substituted phenyl. In one embodiment, the optionally substituted phenyl has four substituents. In another embodiment, the optionally substituted phenyl has three substituents. In another embodiment, the optionally substituted phenyl has two substituents. In another embodiment, the optionally substituted phenyl has one substituent. Non-limiting exemplary substituted aryl groups include 2-methylphenyl, 2-methoxyphenyl, 2-fluorophenyl, 2-chlorophenyl, 2-bromophenyl, 3-methylphenyl, 3-methoxyphenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 4-methylphenyl, 4-ethylphenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 2,6-di-fluorophenyl, 2,6-di-chlorophenyl, 2-methyl, 3-methoxyphenyl, 2-ethyl, 3-methoxyphenyl, 3,4-di-methoxyphenyl, 3,5-di-fluorophenyl 3,5-di-methylphenyl, 3,5-dimethoxy, 4-methylphenyl, 2-fluoro-3-chlorophenyl, and 3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl. The term optionally substituted aryl is meant to include groups having fused optionally substituted cycloalkyl and fused optionally substituted heterocyclo rings. Examples include:

As used herein, the term “aryloxy” by itself or as part of another group refers to an optionally substituted aryl attached to a terminal oxygen atom. A non-limiting exemplary aryloxy group is PhO—.

As used herein, the term “heteroaryloxy” by itself or as part of another group refers to an optionally substituted heteroaryl attached to a terminal oxygen atom. Non-limiting exemplary heteroaryloxy groups include:

As used herein, the term “aralkyloxy” by itself or as part of another group refers to an aralkyl group attached to a terminal oxygen atom. A non-limiting exemplary aralkyloxy group is PhCH₂O—.

As used herein, the term “heteroaryl” or “heteroaromatic” refers to monocyclic and bicyclic aromatic ring systems having 5 to 14 ring atoms (i.e., C₅-C₁₄ heteroaryl) and 1, 2, 3, or 4 heteroatoms independently chosen from oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur. In one embodiment, the heteroaryl has three heteroatoms. In another embodiment, the heteroaryl has two heteroatoms. In another embodiment, the heteroaryl has one heteroatom. In one embodiment, the heteroaryl is a C₅ heteroaryl. In another embodiment, the heteroaryl is a C₆ heteroaryl. Non-limiting exemplary heteroaryl groups include thienyl, benzo[b]thienyl, naphtho[2,3-b]thienyl, thianthrenyl, furyl, benzofuryl, pyranyl, isobenzofuranyl, benzooxazonyl, chromenyl, xanthenyl, 2H-pyrrolyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, isoindolyl, 3H-indolyl, indolyl, indazolyl, purinyl, isoquinolyl, quinolyl, phthalazinyl, naphthyridinyl, cinnolinyl, quinazolinyl, pteridinyl, 4aH-carbazolyl, carbazolyl, β-carbolinyl, phenanthridinyl, acridinyl, pyrimidinyl, phenanthrolinyl, phenazinyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, phenothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, furazanyl, and phenoxazinyl. In one embodiment, the heteroaryl is chosen from thienyl (e.g., thien-2-yl and thien-3-yl), furyl (e.g., 2-furyl and 3-furyl), pyrrolyl (e.g., 1H-pyrrol-2-yl and 1H-pyrrol-3-yl), imidazolyl (e.g., 2H-imidazol-2-yl and 2H-imidazol-4-yl), pyrazolyl (e.g., 1H-pyrazol-3-yl, 1H-pyrazol-4-yl, and III-pyrazol-5-yl), pyridyl (e.g., pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, and pyridin-4-yl), pyrimidinyl (e.g., pyrimidin-2-yl, pyrimidin-4-yl, and pyrimidin-5-yl), thiazolyl (e.g., thiazol-2-yl, thiazol-4-yl, and thiazol-5-yl), isothiazolyl (e.g., isothiazol-3-yl, isothiazol-4-yl, and isothiazol-5-yl), oxazolyl (e.g., oxazol-2-yl, oxazol-4-yl, and oxazol-5-yl) and isoxazolyl (e.g., isoxazol-3-yl, isoxazol-4-yl, and isoxazol-5-yl). The term “heteroaryl” is also meant to include possible N-oxides. Exemplary N-oxides include pyridyl N-oxide and the like.

As used herein, the ten “optionally substituted heteroaryl” by itself or as part of another group means that the heteroaryl as defined above is either unsubstituted or substituted with one to four substituents, e.g., one or two substituents, independently selected from the group consisting of halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, amino, (alkyl)amino, (dialkyl)amino, haloalkyl, (hydroxy)alkyl, (dihydroxy)alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy, alkylthio, carboxamido, sulfonamido, (alkyl)carbonyl, (aryl)carbonyl, (alkyl)sulfonyl, (aryl)sulfonyl, ureido, guanidino, carboxy, (carboxy)alkyl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclo, (alkoxy)alkyl, (amino)alkyl, [(hydroxyl)alkyl]amino, [(alkyl)amino]alkyl, [(dialkyl)amino]alkyl, (cyano)alkyl, (carboxamido)alkyl, mercaptoalkyl, (heterocyclo)alkyl, (heteroaryl)alkyl, and the like. In one embodiment, the optionally substituted heteroaryl has one substituent. In one embodiment, the optionally substituted is an optionally substituted pyridyl, i.e., 2-, 3-, or 4-pyridyl. Any available carbon or nitrogen atom can be substituted. In another embodiment, the optionally substituted heteroaryl is an optionally substituted indole.

As used herein, the term “heterocyclo” or “heterocyclyl” by itself or as part of another group refers to saturated and partially unsaturated (e.g., containing one or two double bonds) cyclic groups containing one, two, or three rings having from three to fourteen ring members (i.e., a 3- to 14-membered heterocyclo) and at least one heteroatom. Each heteroatom is independently selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur, including sulfoxide and sulfone, and/or nitrogen atoms, which can be quaternized. The term “heterocyclo” or “heterocyclyl” is meant to include cyclic ureido groups, such as, 2-imidazolidinone, and cyclic amide groups, such as, β-lactam, γ-lactam, δ-lactam and ε-lactam. The term “heterocyclo” or “heterocyclyl” is also meant to include groups having fused optionally substituted aryl groups, e.g., indolinyl. In one embodiment, the heterocyclo or heterocyclyl group is chosen from a 5- or 6-membered cyclic group containing one ring and one or two oxygen and/or nitrogen atoms. The heterocyclo or heterocyclyl can be optionally linked to the rest of the molecule through a carbon or nitrogen atom. Non-limiting exemplary heterocyclo (or heterocyclyl) groups include 2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl, 2-imidazolidinone, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, piperazinyl, pyrrolidinyl, and indolinyl.

As used herein, the term “optionally substituted heterocyclo” or “optionally substituted heterocyclyl” by itself or part of another group means the heterocyclo or heterocyclyl group as defined above is either unsubstituted or substituted with one to four substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, amino, (alkyl)amino. (dialkyl)amino, haloalkyl, (hydroxy)alkyl, (dihydroxy)alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy, alkylthio, carboxamido, sulfonamido, (alkyl)carbonyl, (aryl)carbonyl, (alkyl)sulfonyl, (aryl)sulfonyl, ureido, guanidino, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, alkoxyalkyl, (amino)alkyl, [(hydroxyl)alkyl]amino, [(alkyl)amino]alkyl, [(dialkyl)amino]alkyl, (cyano)alkyl, (carboxamido)alkyl, mercaptoalkyl, (heterocyclyl)alkyl, (heteroaryl)alkyl, and the like. Substitution may occur on any available carbon or nitrogen atom, and may form a spirocycle. Non-limiting exemplary optionally substituted heterocyclyl groups include:

As used herein, the term “amino” by itself or as part of another group refers to —NH₂.

As used herein, the term “alkylamino” or “(alkyl)amino” by itself or as part of another group refers to —NHR¹⁵, wherein R¹⁵ is alkyl.

As used herein, the term “dialkylamino” or “(dialkylamino” by itself or as part of another group refers to —NR^(16a)R^(16b), wherein R^(16a) and R^(16b) are each independently alkyl or R^(16a) and R^(16b) are taken together to form a 3- to 8-membered optionally substituted heterocyclo.

As used herein, the term “hydroxyalkylamino” by itself or as part of another group refers to —NHR¹⁷, wherein R¹⁷ is hydroxyalkyl.

As used herein, the term “cycloalkylamino” by itself or as part of another group refers to —NR^(19a)R^(19b), wherein R^(19a) is optionally substituted cycloalkyl and R^(19b) is hydrogen or alkyl.

As used herein, the term “(amino)alkyl” by itself or as part of another group refers to an alkyl group substituted with an amino group. Non-limiting exemplary amino alkyl groups include —CH₂CH₂NH₂, —CH₂CH₂CH₂NH₂, —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂NH₂ and the like.

As used herein, the term “(alkylamino)alkyl” or “[(alkyl)amino]alkyl” by itself or as part of another group refers to an alkyl group substituted with an alkylamino group. A non-limiting exemplary (alkylamino)alkyl group is —CH₂CH₂N(H)CH₃.

As used herein, the term “(dialkylamino)alkyl” or “[(dialkyl)amino]alkyl” by itself or as part of another group refers to an alkyl group substituted by a dialkylamino group. Non-limiting exemplary [(dialkyl)amino]alkyl groups include —CH₂N(CH₃)₂ and —CH₂CH₂N(C₁₋₃)₂.

As used herein, the term “(cycloalkylamino)alkyl” by itself or as part of another group refers to an alkyl group substituted by a cycloalkylamino group. Non-limiting exemplary (cycloalkylamino)alkyl groups include —CH₂N(H)cyclopropyl, —CH₂N(H)cyclobutyl, and —CH₂N(H)cyclohexyl.

As used herein, the term “(halo(C₁₋₃)alkoxy)alkyl” by itself or as part of another group refers to an alkyl group substituted by a halo(C₁₋₃)alkoxy group. Non-limiting exemplary (halo(C₁₋₃)alkoxy)alkyl groups include —CH₂OCH₂CF₃ and —CH₂OCF₃.

As used herein, the term “(cyano)alkyl” by itself or as part of another group refers to an alkyl group substituted with one or more cyano, e.g., —CN, groups. Non-limiting exemplary (cyano)alkyl groups include —CH₂CH₂CN, —CH₂CH₂CH₂CN, and —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CN.

As used herein, the term “carboxamido” by itself or as part of another group refers to a radical of formula —C(═O)NR^(24a)R^(24b), wherein R^(24a) and R^(24b) are each independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted aralkyl, optionally substituted aryl, or optionally substituted heteroaryl, or R^(24a) and R^(24b) taken together with the nitrogen to which they are attached from a 3- to 8-membered heterocyclo group. In one embodiment, R^(24a) and R^(24b) are each independently hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl. Non-limiting exemplary carboxamido groups include —CONH₂, —CON(H)CH₃, —CON(CH₃)₂, and CON(H)Ph.

As used herein, the term “sulfonamido” by itself or as part of another group refers to a radical of the formula —SO₂NR^(23a)R^(23b), wherein R^(23a) and R^(23b) are each independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, or optionally substituted aryl, or R^(23a) and R^(23b) taken together with the nitrogen to which they are attached from a 3- to 8-membered heterocyclo group. Non-limiting exemplary sulfonamido groups include —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂N(H)CH₃, and —SO₂N(H)Ph.

As used herein, the term “(alkyl)carbonyl” by itself or as part of another group refers to a carbonyl group, i.e., —C(═O)—, substituted by an alkyl group. A non-limiting exemplary alkylcarbonyl group is —COCH₃.

As used herein, the term “(alkoxy)carbonyl” (or “ester”) by itself or as part of another group refers to a carbonyl group, i.e., —C(═O)—, substituted by an alkoxy group. A non-limiting exemplary (alkoxy)carbonyl group is —C(O)OCH₃.

As used herein, the term “(aryl)carbonyl” by itself or as part of another group refers to a carbonyl group, i.e., —C(═O)—, substituted by an optionally substituted aryl group. A non-limiting exemplary arylcarbonyl group is —COPh.

As used herein, the term “sulfanyl” by itself or as part of another group refers to a —SH group.

The term “(alkyl)sulfanyl” or “alkylthio” by itself or as part of another group refers to a sulfur atom substituted by an optionally substituted alkyl group. In one embodiment, the alkylthio group is chosen from a C₁₋₄ alkylthio group. Non-limiting exemplary alkylthio groups include —SCH₃, and —SCH₂CH₃.

The term “mercaptoalkyl” as used herein by itself or as part of another group refers to any of the above-mentioned alkyl groups substituted by a —SH group.

As used herein, the term “alkylsulfonyl” or “(alkyl)sulfonyl” by itself or as part of another group refers to a sulfonyl group, i.e., —SO₂—, substituted by any of the above-mentioned optionally substituted alkyl groups. A non-limiting exemplary alkylsulfonyl group is —SO₂CH₁.

As used herein, the term “arylsulfonyl” or “(aryl)sulfonyl” by itself or as part of another group refers to a sulfonyl group, i.e., —SO₂—, substituted by any of the above-mentioned optionally substituted aryl groups. A non-limiting exemplary arylsulfonyl group is —SO₂Ph.

As used herein, the term “carboxy” by itself or as part of another group refers to a radical of the formula —COOH.

As used herein, the term “(carboxy)alkyl” by itself or as part of another group refers to any of the above-mentioned alkyl groups substituted with a —COOH. A non-limiting exemplary carboxyalkyl group is —CH₂CO₂H.

As used herein, the terms “aralkyl” or “arylalkyl” or “optionally substituted aralkyl” by themselves or as part of another group refers to an alkyl group substituted with one, two, or three optionally substituted aryl groups. In one embodiment, the optionally substituted aralkyl group is a C₁ alkyl substituted with one optionally substituted aryl group. In one embodiment, the optionally substituted aralkyl group is a C₁ or C₂ alkyl substituted with one optionally substituted aryl group. In one embodiment, the optionally substituted aralkyl group is a C₁ or C₂ alkyl substituted with one optionally substituted phenyl group. Non-limiting exemplary optionally substituted aralkyl groups include benzyl, phenethyl, —CHPh₂, —CH₂(4-F-Ph), —CH₂(4-Me-Ph), —CH₂(4-CF₃-Ph), and —CH(4-F-Ph)₂.

As used herein, the term “ureido” by itself or as part of another group refers to a radical of the formula —NR^(22a)—C(═O)—NR^(22b)R^(22c), wherein R^(22a) is hydrogen, alkyl, or optionally substituted aryl, and R^(22b) and R^(22c) are each independently hydrogen, alkyl, or optionally substituted aryl, or R^(22b) and R^(22c) taken together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a 4- to 8-membered heterocyclo group. Non-limiting exemplary ureido groups include —NH—C(═O)—NH₂ and —NH—C(═O)—NHCH₃.

For As used herein, the term “guanidino” by itself or as part of another group refers to a radical of the formula —NR^(25a)—C(═NR²⁶)—NR^(25b)R^(25c), wherein R^(25a), R^(25b), and R^(25c) are each independently hydrogen, alkyl, or optionally substituted aryl, and R²⁶ is hydrogen, alkyl, cyano, alkylsulfonyl, alkylcarbonyl, carboxamido, or sulfonamido. Non-limiting exemplary guanidino groups include —NH—C(═NH)—NH₂, —NH—C(═NCN)—NH₂, —NH—C(═NH)—NHCH₃ and the like.

As used herein, the terms “(heteroaryl)alkyl” or “optionally substituted (heteroaryl)alkyl” by themselves or as part of another group refers to an alkyl group substituted with one, two, or three optionally substituted heteroaryl groups. In one embodiment, the (heteroaryl)alkyl group is a CIA alkyl substituted with one optionally substituted heteroaryl group. In one embodiment, the (heteroaryl)alkyl is a C₁ or C₂ alkyl substituted with one optionally substituted heteroaryl group. Non-limiting exemplary (heteroaryl)alkyl groups include:

The term “heteroalkyl” as used herein by itself or part of another group refers to a stable straight or branched chain hydrocarbon radical containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms and at least two heteroatoms, which can be the same or different, selected from O, N, or S, wherein: 1) the nitrogen atom(s) and sulfur atom(s) can optionally be oxidized; and/or 2) the nitrogen atom(s) can optionally be quaternized. The heteroatoms can be placed at any interior position or terminal position of the heteroalkyl group, or at a position at which the heteroalkyl group is attached to the remainder of the molecule. In one embodiment, the heteroalkyl group contains two oxygen atoms. In another embodiment, the heteroalkyl group contains two nitrogen atoms. In other embodiment, the heteroalkyl group contains one nitrogen atom and one oxygen atom. Non-limiting exemplary heteroalkyl groups include: —CH₂N(H)CH₂CH₂N(CH₃)₂; —CH₂N(CH₃)CH₂CH₂N(CH₃)₂; —CH₂N(H)CH₂CH₂CH₂N(CH₃)₂; —CH₂N(H)CH₂CH₂OH; —CH₂N(CH₃)CH₂CH₂OH: —CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₃: —CH₂NHCH₂CH₂OCH₂; —OCH₂CH₂NH₂; and —NHCH₂CH₂N(H)CH₃.

As used herein, the term “(heterocyclo)alkyl” or “(heterocyclyl)alkyl” by itself or as part of another group refers to an alkyl group substituted with one optionally substituted heterocyclyl group, and optionally one hydroxyl group. In one embodiment, the (heterocyclyl)alkyl is a C₁₋₄ alkyl substituted with one optionally substituted heterocyclyl group and one hydroxy group. In another embodiment, the (heterocyclo)alkyl (or (heterocyclyl)alkyl) is a C₁₋₄ alkyl substituted with one optionally substituted heterocyclo or heterocyclyl group. Non-limiting exemplary (heterocyclo)alkyl or (heterocyclyl)alkyl groups include:

As used herein, the term “(carboxamido)alkyl” by itself or as part of another group refers to an alkyl group substituted with one carboxamido group, and optionally one heterocyclo, amino, alkylamino, or dialkylamino group. In one embodiment, the (carboxamido)alkyl is a C₁₋₄ alkyl substituted with one carboxamido group, and optionally one heterocyclo, amino, alkylamino, or dialkylamino group. In another embodiment, the (carboxamido)alkyl is a C₁₋₄ alkyl substituted with one carboxamido group and one heterocyclo, amino, alkylamino, or dialkylamino group. In another embodiment, the (carboxamido)alkyl is a C₁₋₄ alkyl substituted with one carboxamido group. Non-limiting exemplary (carboxamido)alkyl groups include —CH₂CON₂, —C(H)CH—CONH₂, —CH₂CON(H)CH₃,

The term “N-oxide” as used herein refers to a compound that contains a N⁺—O⁻ functional group, wherein N⁺ is further connected to H and/or the rest of the compound structure.

As used herein, the term “stereoisomers” is a general term for all isomers of individual molecules that differ only in the orientation of their atoms in space. It includes enantiomers and isomers of compounds with more than one chiral center that are not mirror images of one another (diastereomers).

The term “chiral center” refers to a carbon atom to which four different groups are attached.

The terms “enantiomer” and “enantiomeric” refer to a molecule that cannot be superimposed on its mirror image and hence is optically active wherein the enantiomer rotates the plane of polarized light in one direction and its mirror image compound rotates the plane of polarized light in the opposite direction.

The term “racemic” refers to a mixture of equal parts of enantiomers and which mixture is optically inactive.

The term “resolution” refers to the separation or concentration or depletion of one of the two enantiomeric forms of a molecule.

The terms “a” and “an” refer to one or more.

The term “treat,” “treating” or “treatment” is meant to encompass administering to a subject a compound of the Invention for the purposes of amelioration or cure, including preemptive and palliative treatment. In one embodiment, the term “treat,” “treating” or “treatment” is meant to encompass administering to a subject a compound of the Invention for the purposes of amelioration or cure.

The term “about,” as used herein in connection with a measured quantity, refers to the normal variations in that measured quantity, as expected by the skilled artisan making the measurement and exercising a level of care commensurate with the objective of measurement and the precision of the measuring equipment.

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

-   -   ACN acetonitrile     -   AcOH acetic acid     -   aq. aqueous     -   atm atmosphere(s)     -   Boc tert-butoxycarbonyl     -   ° C. degrees Celsius     -   conc. concentrated     -   DCM dichloromethane     -   DIPEA diisopropylethylamine     -   DME 1,2-dimethoxyethane     -   DMF dimethylformamide     -   DMSO dimethylsulfoxide     -   Et₂O diethyl ether     -   EtOAc ethyl acetate     -   EtOH ethanol     -   h hour(s)     -   HPLC high pressure liquid chromatography     -   i-PrOH iso-propanol     -   MeOH methanol     -   min minute(s)     -   Pd/C palladium on carbon     -   Pd(dppf)Cl₂ [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]palladium(II)         dichloride     -   Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(1) dichloride     -   psi pounds per square inch     -   RT mom temperature     -   satd. saturated     -   t-BuOH tert-butyl alcohol     -   TEA triethylamine     -   TFA trifluoroacetic acid     -   THF tetrahydrofuran

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Compounds of the Invention

The Invention provides compounds as delineated infra. In one aspect, the Compounds of the Invention are useful in treating pain. Without wishing to be bound by any theory, it is believed that the Compounds of the Invention can act as blockers of one or more sodium (Na⁺) channels while treating pain. In certain embodiments, the Compounds of the Invention are useful for treating disorders responsive to the blockade of one or more sodium ion channels.

In one aspect, the Invention provides a compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, N-oxide, or diastereomer thereof:

Wherein

a and b, each independently, are 0, 1, or 2, provided that at least one of a and b is a value other than 0;

n, each independently, is 0, 1, or 2;

m, each independently, is 0, 1, or 2;

k, each independently, is 1, 2, or 3;

W¹, W², and W³, each independently, are CR⁶ or N, provided that at least one of W¹, W² and W³ is N;

One of R¹ and R² is H, cyano, —C(O)N(R)(R^(b)), —S(O)₂N(R^(a))(R^(b)), —C(O)OR⁷, —OC(O)R⁷, —OR⁷, —[CH(R^(c))]_(n)R⁸, or —N(R^(d))(R^(e)), the other is selected from the group consisting of H, —C(O)N(R^(a))(R^(b)), —S(O)₂N(R^(a))R^(b)), —C(O)OR⁷, —OC(O)R⁷, —OR⁷, —[CH(R^(c))]_(n)R⁸, —N(R^(d))(R^(e)), —S(O)_(m)—R^(f), ureido, halogen, cyano, and nitro; provided that R¹ and R² cannot be both H;

R³ is H, alkyl, haloalkyl, —S(O)_(m)—R^(f), alkoxy, haloalkoxy, carboxamido, cyano, (carboxamido)alkyl, (hydroxy)alkyl, (dihydroxy)alkyl, nitro, optionally-substituted cycloalkyl, optionally-substituted heterocyclyl, (heterocyclyl)amino, sulfonamido, [(heterocyclyl)amino]alkyl. (alkoxy)alkyl, optionally-substituted aryl, or optionally-substituted heteroaryl, provided that when a is 2 and b is 0, then R³ is a group other than H;

R⁴ and R⁵, each independently, are H, alkyl, haloalkyl, —S(O)_(m)—R^(f), alkoxy, haloalkoxy, amino, (alkyl)amino, (dialkyl)amino, carboxamido, cyano, hydroxyl, halogen, (hydroxy)alkyl, (dihydroxy)alkyl, nitro, or sulfonamido;

R⁶, each independently, is H, alkyl, hydroxyl, (hydroxyl)alkyl, (dihydroxy)alkyl, amino, (alkyl)amino, (dialkyl)amino, haloalkyl, alkoxy, carboxamido, or sulfonamido:

J¹ is absent, —S(O)₂—, —C(O)—, or —(CHR⁹)_(k)—;

J² is absent. —S(O)₂—, or —C(O)—;

A is selected from the group consisting of

-   -   a) optionally-substituted alkyl;     -   b) optionally-substituted alkoxy;     -   c) optionally-substituted aryl;     -   d) optionally-substituted heteroaryl;     -   e) optionally-substituted cycloalkyl;     -   f) optionally-substituted heterocyclyl; and     -   g) —N(R¹⁰)(R¹¹);

R⁷, each independently, is H, optionally-substituted alkyl, optionally-substituted cycloalkyl, or optionally-substituted heterocyclyl;

R⁸, each independently, is H, optionally-substituted alkyl, optionally-substituted cycloalkyl, optionally-substituted heterocyclyl, or —C(O)N(R¹²)(R¹³);

R⁹, each independently, is H or optionally-substituted alkyl;

R¹⁰ and R¹¹, each independently, are H, optionally-substituted alkyl, optionally-substituted (alkyl)carbonyl, optionally-substituted (cycloalkyl)carbonyl, optionally-substituted (heterocyclyl)carbonyl, optionally-substituted heterocyclyl, or optionally-substituted cycloalkyl, provided that R¹⁰ and R¹¹ cannot be both H;

or R¹⁰ and R¹¹, taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a 3- to 8-membered optionally substituted heterocyclyl;

One of R¹² and R¹³ is H, the other is H, optionally-substituted alkyl, optionally-substituted heterocyclyl, or optionally-substituted cycloalkyl; or R¹² and R¹³, taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a 3- to 8-membered optionally substituted heterocyclyl;

R^(a), on each occurrence, independently is H, optionally-substituted alkyl, optionally-substituted heterocyclyl, optionally-substituted aryl, optionally-substituted cycloalkyl, or optionally-substituted heteroaryl;

R^(b), on each occurrence, independently is H, optionally-substituted alkyl, optionally-substituted heterocyclyl, optionally-substituted aryl, optionally-substituted cycloalkyl, or optionally-substituted heteroaryl;

Or R^(a) and R^(b), taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they both are attached, form a 3- to 8-membered optionally substituted heterocyclyl; R, each independently, is H, hydroxyl, or alkoxy;

R^(d) and R^(e), each independently, are H, carboxamido, optionally-substituted (alkyl)carbonyl, optionally-substituted alkyl, optionally-substituted heterocyclyl, optionally-substituted (heterocycyl)carbonyl, optionally-substituted aryl, optionally-substituted cycloalkyl, optionally-substituted (alkyl)sulfonyl, or optionally-substituted heteroaryl; or R^(d) and R^(e), taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they both are attached, form a 3- to 8-membered optionally substituted heterocyclyl; and

R^(f), each independently, is optionally-substituted alkyl, optionally-substituted cycloalkyl, or optionally-substituted heterocyclyl;

Provided that

when J² is absent and A is optionally-substituted alkyl, then said optionally-substituted alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted by one to three substituents independently selected from the group consisting of amino, (alkyl)carbonyl, (aryl)carbonyl, (alkoxy)carbonyl, carboxy, aryl, heteroaryl, ureido, guanidino, halogen, sulfonamido, hydroxyl, (alkyl)sulfanyl, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyl, (alkyl)sulfonyl, and carboxamido.

In one embodiment of Formula I, a is 1. In another embodiment of Formula I, b is 1. One example provides that a is 1, and b is 1 in Formula I.

In certain embodiments of Formula I, J¹ is absent. In separate embodiments of Formula I, J² is absent.

In one embodiment, Compounds of the Invention are compounds represented by Formula I, wherein W³ is CR⁶, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, N-oxides, or diastereomers thereof. In one embodiment, W³ is CH. One embodiment provides that W² is N and W³ is CH. Another embodiment provides that both of W² and W³ are N.

In another embodiment, Compounds of the Invention are compounds represented by Formula I, wherein W³ is N and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, N-oxides, or diastereomers thereof. One embodiment provides that W² is N and W³ is CH. Another embodiment provides that both of W² and W³ are CH.

Certain embodiments of the Invention provide compounds represented by Formula II and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates. N-oxides, or diastereomers thereof:

Wherein

n is 0, 1, or 2;

W¹, W², and W³, each independently, are CH or N, provided that at least one of W¹, W² and W³ is N;

A is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, 5- to 6-membered heteroaryl, and saturated or unsaturated cyclo(C₅₋₆)alkyl, wherein each of said phenyl, said 5- to 6-membered heteroaryl, and said saturated or unsaturated cyclo(C₅₋₆)alkyl is optionally substituted by one or two substituents independently selected from the group of

i) alkyl (e.g., (C₁₋₆)alkyl) optionally substituted by one or three substituents independently selected from the group of halogen, amino, (alkyl)amino, (dialkyl)amino, hydroxyl, carboxamido, (alkoxy)carbonyl, [(alkoxy)carbonyl]amino, carboxy, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, optionally-substituted cycloalkyl, optionally-substituted heterocyclyl, and sulfonamido, wherein said cycloalkyl and said heterocyclyl, each independently, are optionally substituted by one or two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, halogen, amino, (alkyl)amino, carboxamido, alkyl, haloalkyl, carboxy, (carboxy)alkyl, (carboxamido)alkyl, (alkyl)carbonyl, (alkoxy)carbonyl, and alkoxy;

ii) amino optionally substituted by one to two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, (carboxamido)alkyl, (amino)alkyl, (alkyl)carbonyl, (alkyl)sulfonyl, (alkoxy)carbonyl, (cycloalkyl)carbonyl, cycloalkyl, and heterocyclyl;

iii) alkoxy (e.g., (C₁₋₆)alkoxy) optionally substituted by one to three same or different halogen;

iv) carboxamido;

v) hydroxyl;

vi) halogen; and

vii) sulfonamido;

One of R and R² is H, —C(O)N(R^(a))(R^(b)), or —[CH(OH)]^(n)R⁸, the other is H, —C(O)N(R^(a))(R^(b)), —N(R^(d))(R^(c)), —[CH(OH)]_(n)R⁸, —S(O)₂N(R^(a))(R^(b)), —OR⁷, or —CH₂—R⁸, provided that R¹ and R² cannot be both H;

R³ is H, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, carboxamido, (hydroxy)alkyl, (dihydroxy)alkyl, or sulfonamido;

R⁴ and R⁵, each independently, are H, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, amino, (alkyl)amino, (dialkyl)amino, carboxamido, hydroxyl, halogen. (hydroxyl)alkyl, (dihydroxyl)alkyl, or sulfonamido;

R⁷ is optionally-substituted cycloalkyl, or optionally-substituted heterocyclyl;

R⁸ is H, alkyl, optionally-substituted heterocyclyl, or —C(O)N(R¹²)(R¹³);

R^(a), each independently, is H, optionally-substituted alkyl, optionally-substituted heteroaryl, or optionally-substituted heterocyclyl;

R^(b), each independently, is H, optionally-substituted alkyl, optionally-substituted heteroaryl, or optionally-substituted heterocyclyl;

or R^(a) and R^(b), taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they both are attached, form a 3- to 8-membered optionally-substituted heterocyclyl;

R^(d) and R^(e), each independently, are selected from the group of

1) H;

2) alkyl optionally substituted by one or three substituents independently selected from the group of amino, (alkyl)amino, (alkyl)carbonyl, (alkoxy)carbonyl, carboxy, optionally-substituted aryl, optionally-substituted heteroaryl, ureido, guanidino, halogen, hydroxyl, (alkyl)sulfanyl, sulfanyl, and carboxamido;

3) heterocyclyl optionally substituted by one or two substituents independently selected from the group of halogen, alkyl, amino, (alkyl)amino, (alkyl)carbonyl, carboxy, (alkoxy)carbonyl, and carboxamido;

4) (alkyl)carbonyl optionally substituted by one or two substituents independently selected from the group of amino, hydroxyl, and alkoxy; and

5) (alkyl)sulfonyl optionally substituted by one or two substituents independently selected from the group of halogen, optionally-substituted heterocyclyl, and alkoxy; or R^(d) and R^(c), taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they both are attached, form a 5- to 6-membered optionally substituted heterocyclyl; and

One of R¹² and R¹³ is H, the other is H or alkyl.

As one embodiment in accordance with Formula I or II, the Invention provides that R³, R⁴, and R⁵ are all H.

In certain embodiments of Formula I or II, at least one of R¹ and R² is H. —C(O)N(R^(a)(R^(b)) or —[CH(OH)]_(n)R⁸. For example, R¹ is H, —C(O)N(R^(a))(R^(b)) or —[CH(OH)]_(n)R⁸, and R² is selected from the group consisting of H, —C(O)N(R^(a))(R^(b)), —N(R^(d))(R^(e)), —[CH(OH)]_(n)R⁸, —S(O)₂N(R^(a))(R^(b)), —OR⁷, and —CH₂—R⁸. Alternatively, R² is H, —C(O)N(R^(a))(R^(b)) or —[CH(OH)]_(n)R⁸, and R¹ is selected from the group consisting of H, —C(O)N(R^(a))(R^(b)), —N(R^(d))(R^(e)), —[CH(OH)]_(n)R⁸, —S(O)₂N(R^(a))(R^(b)), —OR⁷, and —CH₂—R⁸.

In one embodiment, Compounds of the Invention are compounds represented by Formula I or II, wherein R¹ is H or —C(O)N(R^(a))(R^(b)), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, N-oxides, or diastereomers thereof. One embodiment provides that R¹ is —C(O)N(R^(a))(R^(b)), wherein one of R¹ and R is H, the other is H or (C₃)alkyl (e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, or isopropyl). One example provides that R¹ is —C(O)NH₂ in accordance with Formula I or II. Under certain circumstances, R² is selected from the group consisting of H, —N(R^(d))(R^(e)), —[CH(OH)]₂R⁸, —OR⁷, —S(O)N(R^(a))(R^(b)), and —CH₂—R⁸. It is understood that R¹ and R² cannot be both H.

In another embodiment, Compounds of the Invention are compounds represented by Formula I or II, wherein R¹ is H, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, N-oxides, or diastereomers thereof. One embodiment provides that R² is selected from the group consisting of H, —N(R^(d))(R^(e)), —[CH(OH)]₂R⁸, —OR⁷, —S(O)₂N(R^(a))(R^(b)), and —CH₂—R⁸. It is understood that R¹ and R² cannot be both H.

In accordance with any one of the above embodiments of Formula I or II, R¹ is —N(R^(d))(R^(e)). In one embodiment, R² is —N(R^(d))(R^(e)), one of R^(d) and R^(e) is H, the other is selected from the group consisting of:

Wherein

y is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4;

x is 1, 2, or 3:

R¹⁴ is H or optionally-substituted (C₁₋₆)alkyl, wherein said optionally-substituted (C₁₋₆)alkyl is optionally substituted by —S(C₁₋₃alkyl), hydroxyl, —SH, —C(O)NH₂, —C(O)OH, —NHC(═NH)NH₂, amino, heteroaryl, or aryl, wherein said aryl is further optionally substituted by hydroxyl or (C₁₋₃)alkoxy;

R^(2a) and R^(2b), each independently, are H or (C₁₋₆)alkyl;

or R^(2a) and R^(2b), taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a 3- to 8-membered heterocyclyl optionally substituted one or two substituents independently selected from the group of alkyl, haloalkyl, (alkoxy)carbonyl, amino, alkoxy, and carboxamido.

In an alternative embodiment, R² is —N(R^(d))(R^(e)), and one of R^(d) and R^(e) is H, the other is the other is (C₁₋₆alkyl)carbonyl optionally substituted by one or two hydroxyl groups. Non-limiting exemplary (C₁₋₆alkyl)carbonyl groups as referred to herein include those illustrated as follows:

A separate embodiment provides that R² is —N(R^(d))(R^(e)), and R^(d) and R^(e), taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they both are attached, form an optionally substituted 5- to 6-membered heterocyclyl. Non-limiting exemplary 5- to 6-membered heterocyclyl groups include those illustrated as follows:

Further, any of the above-mentioned 5- to 6-membered heterocyclyl groups can be optionally substituted by one or two same or different substituents selected from the group of hydroxyl, carboxamido, (C₁₋₃)alkoxy, (C₁₋₃)alkyl, (C₁₋₃alkyl)carbonyl, and halo(C₁₋₃)alkyl.

In an alternative embodiment of Formula I or II, R² is —OR⁷. One embodiment provides that R⁷ is heterocyclyl selected from the group consisting of:

wherein u is 1, 2, or 3. In certain embodiments, the heterocyclyl group as R⁷ can be further optionally substituted by one, two, or three same or different substituents as above defined, including, such as, hydroxyl, carboxamido, (C₁₋₃)alkoxy. (C₁₋₃)alkyl, (C₁₋₃alkyl)carbonyl, and halo(C₁₋₃)alkyl.

In another embodiment of Formula I or II, R is —[CH(OH)]₂R⁸. One embodiment provides that R⁸ is H. Another embodiment provides that R⁸ is (C₁₋₃)alkyl. In a further embodiment, R⁸ is —C(O)NH₂. Non-limiting exemplary R² groups under these circumstances include those illustrated as follows:

In a further embodiment in accordance with Formula I or II, R² can be —S(O)₂N(R^(a))(R^(b)). One embodiment provides that one of R^(a) and R^(b) is H, and the other is heteroaryl, e.g., 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl. One embodiment provides that one of R^(a) and R^(b) is H, and the other is 5-membered heteroaryl (e.g., 2,3,5-thiadiazolyl). Non-limiting exemplary heteroaryl, groups that can be used as R^(a)/R^(b) include, such as, thiadiazolyl, thienyl, benzo[b]thienyl, naphtho[2,3-b]thienyl, thianthrenyl, furyl, benzofuryl, pyranyl, isobenzofuranyl, benzooxazonyl, chromenyl, xanthenyl, 2H-pyrrolyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, isoindolyl, 3H-indolyl, indolyl, indazolyl, purinyl, isoquinolyl, quinolyl, phthalazinyl, naphthyridinyl, cinnolinyl, quinazolinyl, pteridinyl, 4aH-carbazolyl, carbazolyl, β-carbolinyl, phenanthridinyl, acridinyl, pyrimidinyl, phenanthrolinyl, phenazinyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, phenothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, furazanyl, and phenoxazinyl. Further, any of the above-mentioned heteroaryl groups can be further optionally substituted by one, two, or three same or different heteroaryl substituent groups (as above defined).

In one embodiment, the Invention provides a compound of Formula III:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, N-oxide, or diastereomer thereof, wherein R¹, R², and A groups are defined in the way set forth above.

In another embodiment, the Invention provides a compound of Formula IV:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, N-oxide, or diastereomer thereof, wherein R¹, R², and A groups are defined in the way set forth above.

The Invention also provides a compound of Formula V:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, N-oxide, or diastereomer thereof, wherein R¹, R², and A groups are defined in the way set forth above.

In a further embodiment, the Invention provides a compound of Formula VI:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, N-oxide, or diastereomer thereof, wherein R¹, R², and A groups are defined in the way set forth above.

In a separate embodiment in accordance with any one of Formulae I to VI, Λ is optionally-substituted heteroaryl, e.g., a 6-membered heteroaryl group optionally substituted by one, two, three, four groups selected from the group of the above-defined substituents to a heteroaryl group. Non-limiting exemplary heteroaryl groups that may be used as A include, such as, thiadiazolyl, thienyl, benzo[b]thienyl, thianthrenyl, furyl, benzofuryl, pyranyl, isobenzofuranyl, benzooxazonyl, xanthenyl, 2H-pyrrolyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, isoindolyl, 3H-indolyl, indolyl, indazolyl, purinyl, isoquinolyl, quinolyl, phthalazinyl, naphthyridinyl, cinnolinyl, quinazolinyl, pteridinyl, 4aH-carbazolyl, carbazolyl, β-carbolinyl, phenanthridinyl, acridinyl, pyrimidinyl, phenanthrolinyl, phenazinyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, phenothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, furazanyl, and phenoxazinyl.

In certain embodiments in accordance with any one of Formulae I to VI, Λ is optionally-substituted pyridyl, optionally-substituted pyrimidyl, or optionally-substituted triazinyl, wherein each of the pyridyl, pyrimidyl, or triazinyl groups can be further optionally substituted by one, two, or three same or different heteroaryl substituent groups (as above defined).

A further embodiment in accordance with any one of Formulae I to VI provides that A is a saturated or unsaturated optionally-substituted cycloalkyl group. For example, A is cyclohexyl either unsubstituted or substituted with one, two, or three substituents independently selected from the group consisting of the above-defined substituents for the cycloalkyl group. Another example provides that A is cyclohexenyl either unsubstituted or substituted with one, two, or three substituents independently selected from the group consisting of the above-defined substituents for the cycloalkyl group.

In one embodiment in accordance with any one of Formulae I to VI, A is optionally-substituted phenyl, i.e., a phenyl group optionally substituted by one, two, three, four groups selected from the group of the above-defined substituents to an aryl group. In one embodiment, the Invention provides a compound of Formula VII or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, N-oxide, or diastereomer thereof:

Wherein

W¹, W², and W³, each independently, are CH or N, provided that at least one of W¹, W² and W³ is N; and

R^(1a) is selected from the group consisting of H, (C₁₋₃)alkyl, halo(C₁₋₃)alkyl, halo(C₁₋₃)alkoxy, (C₁₋₃)alkoxy, halogen, amino, —C(O)NH₂, [(C₁₋₃)alkyl]amino, and hydroxyl.

Another embodiment of the Invention provides a compound of Formula VIII or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, N-oxide, or diastereomer thereof:

Wherein

W¹, W², and W³, each independently, are CH or N, provided that at least one of W¹, W² and W³ is N; and

R^(1b) is selected from the group consisting of H(C₁₋₃)alkyl, halo(C₁₋₃)alkyl, halo(C₁₋₃)alkoxy, (C₁₋₃)alkoxy, halogen, amino, —C(O)NH₂, [(C₁₋₃)alkyl]amino, and hydroxyl.

In another embodiment, Compounds of the Invention include compounds presented in TABLE 2.and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates. N-oxides, and diasteromers thereof.

TABLE 2 Cpd No. Structure Chemical name 22

(S)-6-((1-amino-1-oxopropan- 2-yl)amino)-2-(5-(4- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3,4- dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)- yl)pyrimidine-4-carboxamide 23

(S)-6-((1-amino-1-oxopropan- 2-yl)amino)-2-(5-(5- (trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl)- 3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)- yl)pyrimidine-4-carboxamide 24

(S)-6-((1-amino-1-oxopropan- 2-yl)amino)-2-(5-(2- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3,4- dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)- yl)pyrimidine-4-carboxamide 25

6-(5-(4-(trifluoromethyl)- phenyl)-3,4-dihydro- isoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)- picolinamide 26

(2S,3R)-2,3-dihydroxy-3-(6-(5- (4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)- 3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)- yl)pyridin-2-yl)propanamide 27

(S)-6-((1-amino-1-oxopropan- 2-yl)amino)-2-(5-(3- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3,4- dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)- yl)pyrimidine-4-carboxamide 28

(S)-6-((1-amino-1-oxopropan- 2-yl)amino)-2-(5-(cyclohex-1- en-1-yl)-3,4-dihydro- isoquinolin-2(1H)- yl)pyrimidine-4-carboxamide 29

N-(1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)-6-(5- (4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)- 3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)- yl)pyridine-2-sulfonamide 30

6-chloro-4-(5-(4- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3,4- dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)- yl)picolinonitrile 31

(S)-6-((1-amino-1-oxopropan- 2-yl)amino)-2-(5-cyclohexyl- 3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)- yl)pyrimidine-4-carboxamide 35

(S)-6-(1,2-dihydroxyethyl)-4- (5-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)- 3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)- yl)picolinamide 36

(R)-6-(1,2-dihydroxyethyl)-4- (5-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)- 3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)- yl)picolinamide

The Invention also provides compounds useful as synthetic intermediates in the preparation of blockers of one or more sodium (Na⁺) channels.

The Invention encompasses any of the Compounds of the Invention being isotopically-labelled (i.e., radiolabeled) by having one or more atoms replaced by an atom having a different atomic mass or mass number. Examples of isotopes that can be incorporated into the disclosed compounds include isotopes of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorous, fluorine and chlorine, such as ²H, ³H, ¹¹C, ¹³C, ¹⁴C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁸O, ¹⁷O, ³¹P, ³²P, ³⁵S, ¹⁸F, and ³⁶Cl, respectively, e.g., ³H, ¹¹C, and ¹⁴C. Isotopically-labeled Compounds of the Invention can be prepared by methods known in the art.

The Invention further encompasses ³H. ¹¹C, or ¹⁴C radiolabeled Compounds of the Invention and the use of any such compounds as radioligands for their ability to bind to the sodium channel. For example, one use of the labeled compounds of the Invention is the characterization of specific receptor binding. Another use of a labeled Compound of the Invention is an alternative to animal testing for the evaluation of structure-activity relationships. For example, the receptor assay can be performed at a fixed concentration of a labeled Compound of the Invention and at increasing concentrations of a test compound in a competition assay. For example, a tritiated Compound of the Invention can be prepared by introducing tritium into the particular compound, for example, by catalytic dehalogenation with tritium. This method may include reacting a suitably halogen-substituted precursor of the compound with tritium gas in the presence of a suitable catalyst, for example, Pd/C, in the presence or absence of a base. Other suitable methods for preparing tritiated compounds can be found in Filer, Isotopes in the Physical and Biomedical Sciences, Vol. 1, Labeled Compounds (Part A), Chapter 6 (1987). ¹⁴C-labeled compounds can be prepared by employing starting materials having a ¹⁴C carbon.

Some of the Compounds of the Invention may contain one or more asymmetric centers and may thus give rise to enantiomers, diastereomers, and other stereoisomeric forms. The Invention is meant to encompass the use of all such possible forms, as well as their racemic and resolved forms and mixtures thereof. The individual enantiomers can be separated according to methods known in the art in view of the Invention. When the compounds described herein contain olefinic double bonds or other centers of geometric asymmetry, and unless specified otherwise, it is intended that they include both E and Z geometric isomers. All tautomers are intended to be encompassed by the Invention as well.

The Invention encompasses the preparation and use of salts of the Compounds of the Invention, including non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts include inorganic and organic acid addition salts and basic salts. The pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, but are not limited to, metal salts such as sodium salt, potassium salt, cesium salt and the like; alkaline earth metals such as calcium salt, magnesium salt and the like; organic amine salts such as triethylamine salt, pyridine salt, picoline salt, ethanolamine salt, triethanolamine salt, dicyclohexylamine salt, N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine salt and the like: inorganic acid salts such as hydrochloride, hydrobromide, phosphate, sulphate and the like; organic acid salts such as citrate, lactate, tartrate, maleate, fumarate, mandelate, acetate, dichloroacetate, trifluoroacetate, oxalate, formate and the like; sulfonates such as methanesulfonate, benzenesulfonate, p-toluenesulfonate and the like; and amino acid salts such as arginate, asparginate, glutamate and the like.

Acid addition salts can be formed by mixing a solution of the particular Compound of the Invention with a solution of a pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic acid such as hydrochloric acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, carbonic acid, phosphoric acid, oxalic acid, dichloroacetic acid, or the like. Basic salts can be formed by mixing a solution of the Compound of the Invention with a solution of a pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic base such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, choline hydroxide, sodium carbonate and the like.

The Invention also encompasses the preparation and use of solvates of Compounds of the Invention. Solvates typically do not significantly alter the physiological activity or toxicity of the compounds, and as such may function as pharmacological equivalents. The term “solvate” as used herein is a combination, physical association and/or solvation of a Compound of the Invention with a solvent molecule such as, e.g. a disolvate, monosolvate or hemisolvate, where the ratio of solvent molecule to Compound of the Invention is about 2:1, about 1:1 or about 1:2, respectively. This physical association involves varying degrees of ionic and covalent bonding, including hydrogen bonding. In certain instances, the solvate can be isolated, such as when one or more solvent molecules are incorporated into the crystal lattice of a crystalline solid. Thus, “solvate” encompasses both solution-phase and isolatable solvates. Compounds of the Invention can be present as solvated forms with a pharmaceutically acceptable solvent, such as water, methanol, ethanol, and the like, and it is intended that the disclosure includes both solvated and unsolvated forms of Compounds of the Invention. One type of solvate is a hydrate. A “hydrate” relates to a particular subgroup of solvates where the solvent molecule is water. Solvates typically can function as pharmacological equivalents. Preparation of solvates is known in the art. See, for example, M. Caira et al, J. Pharmaceut. Sci., 93(3):601-611 (2004), which describes the preparation of solvates of fluconazole with ethyl acetate and with water. Similar preparation of solvates, hemisolvates, hydrates, and the like are described by E. C, van Tonder et al., AAPS Pharm. Sci. Tech., 5(1):Article 12 (2004), and A. L. Bingham et al., Chem. Commun. 603-604 (2001). A typical, non-limiting, process of preparing a solvate would involve dissolving a Compound of the Invention in a desired solvent (organic, water, or a mixture thereof) at temperatures above 20° C. to about 25° C., then cooling the solution at a rate sufficient to form crystals, and isolating the crystals by known methods, e.g., filtration. Analytical techniques such as infrared spectroscopy can be used to confirm the presence of the solvent in a crystal of the solvate.

Further, the Invention encompasses hydrates of any of the disclosed compounds. It is appreciated that a hydrate may be considered as a specific type of solvate. In other words, it may be appreciated in the art that a “hydrate” is a particular subgroup of solvates where the solvent molecule is water.

The Invention is also meant to encompass prodrugs of any of the disclosed compounds. As used herein, prodrugs are considered to be compounds with moieties that can be metabolized in vivo. In general, such prodrugs will be functional derivatives of compounds of any of the formulae delineated herein, which will be readily convertible in vivo, e.g., by being metabolized, into the required compound of any of the formulae. Conventional procedures for the selection and preparation of suitable prodrug derivatives are described in, for example, Design of Prodrugs, H. Bundgaard ed., Elsevier (1985): “Drug and Enzyme Targeting, Part A,” K. Widder et al. eds., Vol. 112 in Methods in Enzymology, Academic Press (1985); Bundgaard, “Design and Application of Prodrugs,” Chapter 5 (pp. 113-191) in A Textbook of Drug Design and Development, P. Krogsgaard-Larsen and H. Bundgaard eds., Harwood Academic Publishers (1991); Bundgaard et al., Adv. Drug Delivery Revs. 8:1-38 (1992); Bundgaard et al., J. Pharmaceut. Sci. 77:285 (1988); and Kakeya et al., Chem. Pharm. Bull. 32:692 (1984).

Examples of prodrugs and their use are well known in the art (e.g., Berge et al. (1997) “Pharmaceutical Salts”, J. Pharm. Sci. 66:1-19). Non-limiting examples of prodrugs include esters or amides of Compounds of the Invention having carboxy, hydroxy or amino groups as a substituent, and these can be prepared by reacting such parent compounds with anhydrides such as succinic anhydride.

Methods and Use of the Compounds of the Invention

In certain embodiments, the Compounds of the Invention are useful for treating pain. Without wishing to be bound by any theory, it is believed that certain Compounds of the Invention can act as blockers of one or more sodium (Na⁺) channels. Therefore, a number of diseases and conditions mediated by sodium ion influx can be treated by employing these compounds. The Invention is further directed generally to a method for treating a disorder responsive to blockade of sodium channels in an animal suffering from, or at risk of suffering from, said disorder, said method comprising administering to the animal an effective amount of one or more Compounds of the Invention.

The invention is further directed to a method of modulating sodium channels in an animal in need thereof, said method comprising administering to the animal a modulating-effective amount of at least one Compound of the Invention.

More specifically, the invention provides a method of treating stroke, neuronal damage resulting from head trauma, epilepsy, neuronal loss following global and focal ischemia, pain (e.g., acute pain, chronic pain, which includes but is not limited to neuropathic pain, postoperative pain, and inflammatory pain, or surgical pain), a neurodegenerative disorder (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Parkinson's disease), migraine, manic depression, tinnitus, myotonia, a movement disorder, or cardiac arrhythmia, or providing local anesthesia. In one embodiment, the Invention provides a method of treating pain. In another embodiment, the type of pain is chronic pain. In another embodiment, the type of pain is neuropathic pain. In another embodiment, the type of pain is postoperative pain. In another embodiment, the type of pain is inflammatory pain. In another embodiment, the type of pain is surgical pain. In another embodiment, the type of pain is acute pain. In another embodiment, the treatment of pain (e.g., chronic pain, such as neuropathic pain, postoperative pain, or inflammatory pain, acute pain or surgical pain) is preemptive. In another embodiment, the treatment of pain is palliative. In each instance, such method of treatment requires administering to an animal in need of such treatment an amount of a Compound of the Invention that is therapeutically effective in achieving said treatment. In one embodiment, the amount of such compound is the amount that is effective to block sodium channels in vitro. In one embodiment, the amount of such compound is the amount that is effective to block sodium channels in vivo.

Chronic pain includes, but is not limited to, inflammatory pain, postoperative pain, cancer pain, osteoarthritis pain associated with metastatic cancer, trigeminal neuralgia, acute herpetic and postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, causalgia, brachial plexus avulsion, occipital neuralgia, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, fibromyalgia, gout, phantom limb pain, burn pain, and other forms of neuralgia, neuropathic, and idiopathic pain syndromes.

Chronic somatic pain generally results from inflammatory responses to tissue injury such as nerve entrapment, surgical procedures, cancer or arthritis (Brower, Nature Biotechnology 18:387-391 (2(0))).

The inflammatory process is a complex series of biochemical and cellular events activated in response to tissue injury or the presence of foreign substances (Levine, Inflammatory Pain, In: Textbook of Pain, Wall and Melzack eds., 3^(rd) ed., 1994). Inflammation often occurs at the site of injured tissue, or foreign material, and contributes to the process of tissue repair and healing. The cardinal signs of inflammation include erythema (redncss), heat, edema (swelling), pain and loss of function (ibid.). The majority of patients with inflammatory pain do not experience pain continually, but rather experience enhanced pain when the inflamed site is moved or touched. Inflammatory pain includes, but is not limited to, that associated with osteoarnhritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Chronic neuropathic pain is a heterogeneous disease state with an unclear etiology. In chronic neuropathic pain, the pain can be mediated by multiple mechanisms. This type of pain generally arises from injury to the peripheral or central nervous tissue. The syndromes include pain associated with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, post-herpetic neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, phantom pain, causalgia, and reflex sympathetic dystrophy and lower back pain. Chronic pain is different from acute pain in that patients suffer the abnormal pain sensations that can be described as spontaneous pain, continuous superficial burning and/or deep aching pain. The pain can be evoked by heat-, cold-, and mechano-hyperalgesia or by heat-, cold-, or mechano-allodynia.

Neuropathic pain can be caused by injury or infection of peripheral sensory nerves. It includes, but is not limited to, pain from peripheral nerve trauma, herpes virus infection, diabetes mellitus, causalgia, plexus avulsion, neuroma, limb amputation, and vasculitis. Neuropathic pain is also caused by nerve damage from chronic alcoholism, human immunodeficiency virus infection, hypothyroidism, uremia, or vitamin deficiencies. Stroke (spinal or brain) and spinal cord injury can also induce neuropathic pain. Cancer-related neuropathic pain results from tumor growth compression of adjacent nerves, brain, or spinal cord. In addition, cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy, can also cause nerve injury. Neuropathic pain includes but is not limited to pain caused by nerve injury such as, for example, the pain from which diabetics suffer.

The Invention is also directed to the use of a Compound of the Invention in the manufacture of a medicament for treating pain. Further, the Invention is directed to the use of a Compound of the Invention in the manufacture of a medicament for treating a disorder responsive to blockade of sodium channels (e.g., any of the disorders listed above) in an animal suffering from said disorder.

General Synthesis of Compounds

The Compounds of the Invention (e.g., those of Formula I) can be made using conventional organic synthesis in view of this disclosure, or by the illustrative methods shown in the Scheme below.

Compound A, where BR′R″ is a boronic acid or ester, is converted to Compound C by reaction with Compound B in the presence of a suitable catalyst (such as, Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂) and a suitable base (such as, Cs₂CO₃) in a suitable solvent (such as, a DME/aq. EtOH mixture). Compound C, where PG is a protecting group, is converted to Compound D by appropriate deprotection techniques known to one skilled in the an (e.g. Wuts, P. G. M.; Greene. T. W. “Greene's Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis”, 4th Ed., J. Wiley & Sons, N Y, 2007). Compound D is converted to Compound F by reaction with Compound E in the presence of a suitable base (such as, Cs₂CO₃) in a suitable solvent (such as, DMF).

Subsequent side chain modifications can be accomplished via appropriate functional group manipulations known to one skilled in the art.

Testing of Compounds

Certain compounds of the Invention were assessed by sodium mobilization and/or electrophysiological (EP) assays for sodium channel blocker activity. One aspect of the invention is based on the use of the Compounds of the Invention as sodium channel blockers. Based upon this property, Compounds of the Invention are considered useful in treating a condition or disorder responsive to the blockade of sodium ion channels. e.g., stroke, neuronal damage resulting from head trauma, epilepsy, seizures, general epilepsy with febrile seizures, severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy, neuronal loss following global and focal ischemia, migraine, familial primary erythromelalgia, paroxysmal extreme pain disorder, cerebellar atrophy, ataxia, dystonia, tremor, mental retardation, autism, a neurodegenerative disorder (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Parkinson's disease), manic depression, tinnitus, myotonia, a movement disorder, cardiac arrhythmia, or providing local anesthesia. Compounds of the Invention are also expected to be effective in treating pain. e.g., acute pain, chronic pain, which includes but is not limited to, neuropathic pain, postoperative pain, and inflammatory pain, or surgical pain.

Certain embodiments of the Invention provide compounds described supra, useful as blockers of sodium channels. Without wishing to be found by any theory, certain compounds of the Invention having useful sodium channel blocking properties exhibit an IC₅₀ for Na_(v)1.1, Na_(v)1.2, Na_(v)1.3, Na_(v)1.4, Na_(v)1.5, Na_(v)1.6, Na_(v)1.7, Na_(v)1.8, and/or Na_(v)1.9 of about 100 μM or less, e.g., about 50 μM or less, about 25 μM or less, about 10 μM or less, about 5 μM or less, or about 1 μM or less, in sodium mobilization and/or electrophysiological assays. In certain embodiments, Compounds of the Invention exhibit an IC₅₀ for Na_(v)1.7 of 100 μM or less, about 50 μM or less, about 25 μM or less, about 10 μM or less, about 5 μM or less, about 1 μM or less, about 0.5 μM or less, about 0.1 μM or less, about 0.05 μM or less, or about 0.01 μM or less. Compounds of the Invention can be tested for their Na⁺ channel blocking activity using methods known in the art and by the following fluorescence imaging and electrophysiological in vitro assays and/or in vivo assays.

In one embodiment, Compounds of the Invention demonstrate substantially no penetration across the CNS blood-brain barrier in a mammal. Such compounds are referred to as “peripherally restricted” as a means to designate their PNS versus CNS tissue selectivity.

In one embodiment, the PNS:CNS concentration ratio of a peripherally restricted Compound of the Invention is about 5:1, about 10:1, about 20:1, about 30:1; about 50:1; about 100:1, about 250:1, about 500:1, about 1000:1, about 5,000:1, about 10,000:1, or more. Compounds of the Invention can be tested for their ability to penetrate the central nervous system using in vitro and in vivo methods known in the art.

In Vitro Assay Protocols

FLIPR® Assays

Recombinant Na_(v)1.7 Cell Line: In vitro assays were performed in a recombinant cell line expressing cDNA encoding the alpha subunit (Na_(v)1.7, SCN9a. PN1, NE) of human Na_(v)1.7 (Accession No. NM_002977). The cell line was provided by investigators at Yale University (Cumnins et al, J. Neurosci. 18(23): 9607-9619 (1998)). For dominant selection of the Na_(v)1.7-expressing clones, the expression plasmid co-expressed the neomycin resistance gene. The cell line was constructed in the human embryonic kidney cell line. HEK293, under the influence of the CMV major late promoter, and stable clones were selected using limiting dilution cloning and antibiotic selection using the neomycin analogue, G418. Recombinant beta and gamma subunits were not introduced into this cell line. Additional cell lines expressing recombinant Na_(v)1.7 cloned from other species can also be used, alone or in combination with various beta subunits, gamma subunits or chaperones.

Non-recombinant Cell Lines Expressing Native Na_(v)1.7: Alternatively, in vitro assays can be performed in a cell line expressing native, non-recombinant Na_(v)1.7, such as the ND7 mouse neuroblastoma X rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) hybrid cell line ND7/23, available from the European Cell Culture Collection (Cat. No. 92090903, Salisbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom). The assays can also be performed in other cell lines expressing native, non-recombinant Na_(v)1.7, from various species, or in cultures of fresh or preserved sensory neurons, such as dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells, isolated from various species. Primary screens or counter-screens of other voltage-gated sodium channels can also be performed, and the cell lines can be constructed using methods known in the art, purchased from collaborators or commercial establishments, and they can express either recombinant or native channels. The primary counter-screen is for one of the central neuronal sodium channels, Na_(v)1.2 (rBIIa), expressed in HEK293 host cells (Ilyin et al., Br. J. Pharmacol. 144:801-812 (2005)). Pharmacological profiling for these counter-screens is carried out under conditions similar to the primary or alternative Na_(v)1.7 assays described below.

Cell maintenance: Unless otherwise noted, cell culture reagents were purchased from Mediatech of Herndon, Va. The recombinant Na_(v)1.7/HEK293 cells were routinely cultured in growth medium consisting of Dulbecco's minimum essential medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum (3S, Hyclone, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Logan. T), 100 U/ml, penicillin, 100 μg/mL streptomycin, 2-4 mM L-glutamine, and 500 mg/m. G418. For natural, non-recombinant cell lines, the selective antibiotic was omitted, and additional media formulations can be applied as needed.

Assay Buffer: The assay buffer was formulated by removing 120 mL from a 1 L bottle of fresh, sterile dH₂O (Mediatech, Herndon, Va.) and adding 100 mL of 10×HBSS that does not contain Ca⁺⁺ or Mg⁺⁺ (Gibco, Invitrogen, Grand Island, N.Y.) followed by 20 mL of 1.0 M Hepes, pH 7.3 (Fisher Scientific, BP299-100). The final buffer consisted of 20 mM Hepes, pH 7.3, 1.261 mM CaCl₂, 0.493 mM MgCl₂, 0.407 mM Mg(SO)₄. 5.33 mM KC, 0.441 mM KH₂PO₄. 137 mM NaCl, 0.336 mM Na₂HPO₄ and 0.556 mM D-glucose (Hanks et al., Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 71:196 (1949)), and the simple formulation was typically the basic buffer throughout the assay (i.e., all wash and addition steps).

CoroNa™ Green AM Na⁺ Dye for Primary Fluorescence Assay: The fluorescence indicator used in the primary fluorescence assay was the cell permeant version of CoroNa™ Green (Invitrogen, Molecular Probes, Eugene, Oreg.), a dye that emits light in the fluorescence range (IIarootunian et al., J. Biol. Chem. 264(32):19458-19467 (1989)). The intensity of this emission, but not the wavelength range, is increased when the dye is exposed to Na⁺ ions, which it can bind with partial selectivity. Cells expressing Na_(v)1.7 or other sodium channels were loaded with the CoroNa™ Green dye immediately in advance of the fluorescence assay, and then, after agonist stimulation, the mobilization of Na⁺ ions was detected as the Na⁺ ions flowed from the extracellular fluid into the cytoplasm through the activated sodium channel pores. The dye was stored in the dark as a lyophilized powder, and then an aliquot was dissolved immediately before the cell loading procedure, according to the instructions of the manufacturer, to a stock concentration of 10 mM in DMSO. It was then diluted in the assay buffer to a 4× concentrated working solution, so that the final concentration of dye in the cell loading buffer was 5 μM.

Membrane Potential Dye for Alternative Fluorescence Assays: A fluorescence indicator that can be used in alternative fluorescence assays is the blue version membrane potential dye (MDS, Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, Calif.), a dye that detects changes in molecules following a change in membrane potential. An increase in fluorescence is expected if agonist stimulation provokes a change in membrane potential. Cells expressing Na_(v)1.7 or other sodium channels are incubated with the membrane potential dye 30-60 minutes before the fluorescence assay. In the case of the KCl pre-stimulation version of the assay, the dye and all other components are washed out immediately before the assay, and the dye is then replaced. In the version lacking KCl pre-stimulation, the dye remains on the cells and is not washed out or replaced. The dye is stored in the dark as a lyophilized powder, and then an aliquot dissolved in assay buffer to form a 20×-concentrated stock solution that can be used for several weeks. Agonists: In the fluorescence assays, two agonists were used in combination, namely 1) veratridine; and 2) the venom from the yellow scorpion, Leiurus quinquestriatus hebraeus. Veratridine is an alkaloid small molecule that facilitates the capture of channel openings by inhibiting inactivation, and the scorpion venom is a natural preparation that includes peptide toxins selective for different subsets of voltage-gated sodium channels. These scorpion toxins inhibit the fast inactivation of their cognate target channels. Stock solutions of the agonists were prepared to 40 mM in DMSO (veratridine) and 1 mg/mL in dH₂O (scorpion venom), and then diluted to make a 4× or 2× stock (depending on the particular assay) in assay buffer, the final concentration being 100 μM (veratridine) and 10 μg/mL (scorpion venom). Both of the agonists were purchased from Sigma Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo.

Test Compounds: Test compounds were dissolved in DMSO to yield 10 mM stock solutions. The stock solutions were further diluted using DMSO in 1:3 serial dilution steps with 10 points (1000 μM, 3.333 μM, 1.111 μM, 370 μM, 123 μM, 41 μM, 14 μM, 4.6 μM, 1.5 μM and 0.5 μM). The stock solutions were further diluted in assay buffer (1:125) as 4× stock serial dilutions with a DMSO concentration of 0.8% (final [DMSO], in the assay, from the compounds component=0.2%), so that the compounds' final concentrations in the assay were 20 μM, 6.7 μM, 2.2 μM, 0.74 μM, 0.25 μM and 0.08 μM, 0.03 μM, 0.01 μM, 0.003 μM and 0.001 μM. If a particular test article appeared to be especially potent, then the concentration curve was adjusted, e.g., to 10-fold lower concentrations, in order to perform the dose-response in a more relevant concentration range. Compound dilutions were added during the dye-loading and pre-stimulation step, and then again during the fluorescence assay, early in the kinetic read. Compound dilutions were added in duplicate rows across the middle 80 wells of the %-well plate, whereas the fully stimulated and the fully inhibited controls (positive and negative) were located in the top 4 side wells and the bottom 4 side wells, respectively, on the left and right sides of the assay plate.

Data Analysis: The data were analyzed according to methods known to those skilled in the art or using the GraphPad® Prism Program, version 4.0 or higher (available from GraphPad Software. San Diego, Calif.) to determine the IC₅₀ value for the test article. At least one standard reference compound was evaluated during each experiment.

FLIPR® or FLIPR^(TETRA)® sodium dye assay with KCl and test article pre-incubation: Cells were prepared by plating the recombinant HEK293 cells or other host cells expressing either recombinant or non-recombinant, native. Na_(V)1.7 alpha subunit, alone or in combination with various beta and gamma subunits at a density of ˜40,000 cells/well into a 96-well black, clear-bottom, PDL-coated plate. The assay can be adapted to 384-well or 1,536-well format, if desired, using proportionately fewer cells and less media. The plate was then incubated in growth media, with or without selective antibiotic, overnight at 37° C. at 5% CO₂, 95% humidity, in preparation for the assay. For counter-screens of other voltage-gated sodium channels, the procedure was very similar, though optimal densities of cells, media and subsequent assay components can be fine-tuned for the particular cell line or isoform.

The next day, at the start of the assay, the media was flicked from the cells and the wells were washed once with 50 μl/well assay buffer (1× Hank's balanced salt solution without sodium bicarbonate or phenol red, 20 mM Hepes, pH 7.3) and then pre-incubated with the test articles, CoroNar™ Green AM sodium dye (for cell loading) and KCl for re-polarization and synchronization of the channels in the entire population of cells. For this dye-loading and pre-stimulation step, the components were added as follows, immediately after the wash step: 1) first, the compound dilutions and controls were added as 4× concentrates in assay buffer at 50 μL/well: 2) CoroNa™ Green AM dye was diluted from the stock solution to 20 μM in assay buffer (4× concentrate) and added to the plate at 50 μL/well: and 3) finally, a solution of 180 mM KCl (2×) was prepared by diluting a 2M stock solution into assay buffer and the solution was added to the cells at 100 μl/well. The cells were incubated at 25° C. in the dark for 30 min. before their fluorescence was measured.

The plates containing dye-loaded cells were then flicked to remove the pre-incubation components and washed once with 100 μL/well assay buffer. A 100 μl/well aliquot of assay buffer was added back to the plate, and the real-time assay was commenced. The fluorescence of cells was measured using a fluorescence plate reader (FLIPR^(TETRA)® or FLIPR384®. MDS, Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, Calif.) Samples were excited by either a laser or a PMT light source (Excitation wavelength=470-495 mM) and the emissions are filtered (Emission wavelength=515-575 mM). The additions of compound and the channel activators in this cell-based, medium-to-high throughput assay were performed on the fluorescence plate reader and the results (expressed as relative fluorescence units) were captured by means of camera shots every 1-3 sec., then displayed in real-time and stored. Generally, there was a 15 sec. base line, with camera shots taken every 1.5 sec., then the test compounds were added, then another 120 sec. baseline was conducted, with camera shots taken every 3 sec.; and finally, the agonist solution (containing veratridine and scorpion venom) was added. The amplitude of fluorescence increase, resulting from the binding of Na⁺ ions to the CoroNa™ Green dye, was captured for ˜180 sec. thereafter. Results were expressed in relative fluorescence units (RFU) and can be determined by using the maximum signal during the latter part of the stimulation; or the maximum minus the minimum during the whole agonist stimulation period; or by taking the area under the curve for the whole stimulation period.

The assay can be performed as a screening assay as well with the test articles present in standard amounts (e.g., 10 μM) in only one or two wells of a multi-well plate during the primary screen. Hits in this screen were typically profiled more exhaustively (multiple times), subjected to dose-response or competition assays and tested in counter screens against other voltage-gated sodium channels or other biologically relevant target molecules.

FLIPR® or FLIPR^(TETR)® membrane potential assay with KCl and test article pre-incubation: Cells are prepared by plating the recombinant HEK293 cells or other host cells expressing either recombinant or non-recombinant, native, Na_(v)1.7 alpha subunit, alone or in combination with various beta and gamma subunits at a density of ˜40,000 cells/well into a 96-well black, clear-bottom, PDL-coated plate. The assay can be adapted to 384-well or 1.536-well format, if desired, using proportionately less cells and media. The plate is then incubated in growth media, with or without selective antibiotic, overnight at 37° C. at 5% CO₂, 95% humidity, in preparation for the assay (see, e.g., Benjamin et. al., J. Biomol. Screen 10(4):365-373 (2005)). For screens and counter-screens of other voltage-gated sodium channels, the assay protocol is similar, though optimal densities of cells, media and subsequent assay components can be fine-tuned for the particular cell line or sodium channel isoform being tested.

The next day, at the start of the assay, the media is flicked from the cells and the wells are washed once with 50 μL/well assay buffer (IX Hank's balanced salt solution without sodium bicarbonate or phenol red, 20 mM Hepes, pH 7.3) and then pre-incubated with the test articles, the membrane potential dye (for cell loading), and the KCl for re-polarization and synchronization of the channels in the entire population of cells. For this dye-loading and pre-stimulation step, the components are added as follows, immediately after the wash step: 1) first, the compound dilutions and controls are added as 4× concentrates in assay buffer at 50 μL/well; 2) membrane potential dye is diluted from the stock solution in assay buffer (4× concentrate) and added to the plate at 50 μL/well: and 3) finally, a solution of 180 mM KCl (2×) is prepared by diluting a 2M stock solution into assay buffer and the solution added to the cells at 100 μL/well. The cells are incubated at 37° C. in the dark for 30-60 min. before their fluorescence is measured.

The plates containing dye-loaded cells are then flicked to remove the pre-incubation components and washed once with 50 μL/well assay buffer. A 50 μL/well aliquot of membrane potential dye is added back to the plate, and the real-time assay is commenced. The fluorescence of cells is measured using a fluorescence plate reader (FLIPR^(TETRA)® or FLIPR384®, MDS, Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, Calif.). Samples are excited by either a laser or a PMT light source (Excitation wavelength=510-545 mM) and the emissions are filtered (Emission wavelength=565-625 mM). The additions of the compounds (first) and then the channel activators (later) in this are performed on the fluorescence plate reader and the results, expressed as relative fluorescence units (RFU), are captured by means of camera shots every 1-3 sec., then displayed in real-time and stored. Generally, there is a 15 sec. base line, with camera shots taken every 1.5 sec., then the test compounds are added, then another 120 sec. baseline is conducted, with camera shots taken every 3 sec.; and finally, the agonist solution (containing veratridine and scorpion venom) is added. The amplitude of fluorescence increase, resulting from the detection of membrane potential change, is captured for ˜120 sec. thereafter. Results are expressed in relative fluorescence units (RFU) and can be determined by using the maximum signal during the latter part of the stimulation; or the maximum minus the minimum during the whole stimulation period: or by taking the area under the curve for the whole stimulation period.

The assay can be performed as a screening assay as well with the test articles present in standard amounts (e.g., 10 μM) in only one or two wells of a multi-well plate during the primary screen. Hits in this screen are typically profiled more exhaustively (multiple times), subjected to dose-response or competition assays and tested in counter screens against other voltage-gate sodium channels or other biologically relevant target molecules.

FLIPR® or FLIPR^(TETRA)® sodium dye assay without KCl and test article pre-incubation: Cells are prepared by plating the recombinant HEK293 cells or other host cells expressing either recombinant or non-recombinant, native, Na_(V)1.7 alpha subunit, alone or in combination with various beta and gamma subunits at a density of ˜40,000 cells/well into a 96-well black, clear-bottom, PDL-coated plate. The assay can be adapted to 384-well or 1,536-well format, if desired, using proportionately less cells and media. The plate is then incubated in growth media, with or without selective antibiotic, overnight at 37° C. at 5% CO₂, 95% humidity, in preparation for the assay. For counter-screens of other voltage-gated sodium channels, the procedure is very similar, though optimal densities of cells, media and subsequent assay components can be fine-tuned for the particular cell line or isoform.

The next day, at the start of the assay, the media is flicked from the cells and the wells washed once with 50 μL/well assay buffer (X Hank's balanced salt solution without sodium bicarbonate or phenol red, 20 mM Hepes, pH 7.3). Membrane potential dye is then added to each well of the 96-well plate (50 μL/well), from a freshly diluted sample of the stock (now at 4× concentration) in the assay buffer. The cells are incubated at 37° C. in the dark for 30-60 min. before their fluorescence is measured.

In this standard membrane potential assay, the 96-well plate containing dye-loaded cells is then loaded directly onto the plate reader without aspirating the dye solution and without any further washing of the cells. The fluorescence of cells is measured using a fluorescence plate reader (FLIPR^(TETRA)® or FLIPR384®, MDS. Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, Calif.). Samples are excited by either a laser or a PMT light source (Excitation wavelength=510-545 mM) and the emissions are filtered (Emission wavelength=565-625 nM). The additions of the compounds (first, 50 μL/well from a 4× stock plate) and then the channel activators (later, 100 μL/well from a 2× stock solution) in this kinetic assay are performed on the fluorescence plate reader and the results, expressed as relative fluorescence units (RFU), are captured by means of camera shots every 1-3 sec., then displayed in real-time and stored. Generally, there is a 15 sec. base line, with camera shots taken every 1.5 sec., then the test compounds are added, then another 120 sec. baseline is conducted, with camera shots taken every 3 sec.; and finally, the agonist solution (containing veratridine and scorpion venom) is added. The amplitude of fluorescence increase, resulting from the detection of membrane potential change, is captured for ˜120 sec. thereafter. Results are expressed in relative fluorescence units (RFU) and can be determined by using the maximum signal during the latter part of the stimulation; or the maximum minus the minimum during the whole stimulation period; or by taking the area under the curve for the whole stimulation period.

The assay can be performed as a screening assay as well, with the test articles present in standard amounts (e.g. 10 μM) in only one or two wells of a multi-well plate during the primary screen. Hits in this screen are typically profiled more exhaustively (multiple times), subjected to dose-response or competition assays and tested in counter screens against other voltage-gate sodium channels or other biologically relevant target molecules.

Electrophysiology Assay

Cells Manual Electrophysiology: The hNa_(v)1.7 expressing HEK-293 cells are plated on 35 mm culture dishes pre-coated with poly-D-lysine in standard DMEM culture media (Mediatech, Inc., Herndon, Va.) and incubated in a 5% CO₂ incubator at 37° C. Cultured cells are used approximately 12-48 hours after plating.

Cells Automated Electrophysiology: The hNa_(v)1.7 expressing HEK-293 cells are plated on tissue culture flasks in standard DMEM culture media (Mediatech, Inc.) and incubated in a 5% CO₂ incubator at 37°. Cultured cells are used approximately 12-48 hours after plating.

Manual Electrophysiology: On the day of experimentation, the 35 mm dish is placed on the stage of an inverted microscope equipped with a perfusion system that continuously perfuses the culture dish with fresh recording media. A gravity driven superfusion system is used to apply test solutions directly to the cell under evaluation. This “shooter” system consists of an array of glass pipettes connected to a motorized horizontal translator. The outlet of the shooter is positioned approximately 100 μm from the cell of interest.

Whole cell currents are recorded using the whole-cell patch clamp configuration using an Axopatch 200B amplifier (Axon Instruments, Foster City Calif.), 1322A A/D converter (Axon Instruments) and pClamp software (v. 8; Axon Instruments) and stored on a personal computer. Gigaseals am formed and the whole-cell configuration is established in voltage clamp mode, and membrane currents generated by hNa_(v)1.7 channels are recorded. Borosilicate glass pipettes with resistance values between 1.5 and 2.0 MΩ when filled with pipette solution are used and series resistance (<5 MΩ) is compensated by 75-80%. Signals are sampled at 50 kHz and low pass filtered at 3 kHz.

Automated Electrophysiology: On the day of experimentation, cells are prepared by removing media and digesting with appropriate enzymes to suspend cells in external solution.

Whole cell currents are recorded using the whole-cell patch clamp configuration using an Patchliner (Nanion Technologies, Munich Germany), EPC 10 quadro amplifiers (HEKA, Bellmore, N.Y.) and PatchControl HT 10905 (Nanion Technologies) and PatchMaster v2x73 software(HEKA) and stored on a personal computer. Gigaseals are formed and the whole-cell configuration is established in voltage clamp mode, and membrane currents generated by hNa_(v)1.7 are recorded. NPC-16 chips have resistance values between 1.0 and 2.0 MΩ when filled with pipette solution and series resistance (<5 MΩ). Signals are sampled at 25 kHz and low pass filtered at 3 kHz.

Voltage protocols Manual Electrophysiology: After establishing the whole-cell configuration in voltage clamp mode, voltage protocols are run to establish the 1) test potential (V_(max)), 2) holding potential (V_(h)), and 3) the conditioning potential for each cell.

After establishing the whole-cell configuration in voltage clamp mode, a standard I-V protocol is run to determine the potential at which the maximal current (I_(max)) is elicited. This potential is the test potential (V_(t)). To determine a conditioning potential at which 100% of channels are in the inactivated state, a standard steady-state inactivation (SSIN) protocol is run using a series of fifteen 100 ms-long depolarizing prepulses, incrementing in 10 mV steps, immediately followed by a 5 ms testing pulse to V_(max). This protocol also permits determination of the holding potential at which all channels are in the resting state.

For compounds causing significant retardation of recovery from inactivation, an estimate of the affinity for the inactivated state of the channel (K_(i)) is generated using the following protocol. From the negative, no residual inactivation, holding potential, the cell is depolarized to the conditioning voltage for 2-5 seconds, returned to the negative holding potential for 10-20 ms to relieve fast inactivation and then depolarized to the test potential for ˜15 ins. This voltage protocol is repeated every 10-15 seconds, first to establish a baseline in the absence of the test compound, then in the presence of the test compound.

After a stable baseline is established, the test compound is applied and block of the current elicited by the test pulse assessed. In some cases, multiple cumulative concentrations are applied to identify a concentration that blocked between 40-60% of this current. Washout of the compound is attempted by superfusing with control solution once steady-state block is observed. An estimate of the K_(i) is calculated as follows: K _(i)=[drug]*{FR/(1−FR)},  Eq. 1 where [drug] is the concentration of a drug, and FR=I(after drug)/1(control),  Eq. 2 where I is the peak current amplitude. If multiple concentrations were used, K_(i) is determined from the fit of a logistic equation to FRs plotted against corresponding drug concentrations.

In the alternative, the voltage clamp protocol to examine hNa_(v)1.7 currents is as follows. After establishing the whole-cell configuration in voltage clamp mode, two voltage protocols were run to establish: 1) the holding potential; and 2) the test potential for each cell.

Resting block: To determine a membrane potential at which the majority of channels are in the resting state, a standard steady-state inactivation (SSIN) protocol is run using 100 ms prepulses×10 mV depolarizing steps. The holding potential for testing resting block (V_(h1)) is typically 20 V more hyperpolarized than the first potential where inactivation is observed with the inactivation protocol.

From this holding potential a standard 1-V protocol is run to determine the potential at which the maximal current is elicited (V_(max)). This potential is the test potential (V_(t)).

The compound testing protocol is a series of 10 ms depolarizations from the Vh1 (determined from the SSIN) to the V, (determined from the I-V protocol) repeated every 10-15 seconds. After a stable baseline is established, a high concentration of a test compound (highest concentration solubility permits or that which provides ˜50% block) is applied and block of the current assessed. Washout of the compound is attempted by superfusing with control solution once steady-state block was observed. The affinity for the resting state of the channels is calculated as follows: K _(r)=[drug]*{FR/(1−FR)},  Eq. 3 where [drug] is the concentration of a drug, and FR=I(after drug)/I(control),  Eq. 2 where I is the peak current amplitude and was used for estimating resting block dissociation constant, K_(r).

Block of inactivated channels: To assess the block of inactivated channels the holding potential is depolarized such that 20-50% of the current amplitude is reduced when pulsed to the same V_(t) as above. This is the second holding potential (V_(h2)). The magnitude of this depolarization depends upon the initial current amplitude and the rate of current loss due to slow inactivation. The current reduction is recorded to determine the fraction of available channels at this potential (h). h=I@V _(h2) /I _(max)  Eq. 4

At this membrane voltage a proportion of channels are in the inactivated state, and thus inhibition by a blocker includes interaction with both resting and inactivated channels.

To determine the potency of the test compound on inactivated channels, a series of currents are elicited by 10 ms voltage steps from V_(h2) to V_(t) every 10-15 seconds. After establishing a stable baseline, the low concentration of the compound is applied. In some cases, multiple cumulative concentrations will have to be applied to identify a concentration that blocks between 40-60% of the current. Washout is attempted to re-establish baseline. Fractional responses are measured with respect to a projected baseline to determine K_(app): K _(app)=[drug]*{FR/(1−FR)},  Eq. 5 where [drug] is the concentration of a drug.

This K_(app) value, along with the calculated K_(r) and h values, are used to calculate the affinity of the compound for the inactivated channels (K_(i)) using the following equation: Ki=(1-h)/((1/K _(app))−(h/K _(r))).  Eq. 6

Voltage protocols Automated Electrophysiology: Similar voltage protocols are used as described above, however the test potential (V_(t)) is set to a predetermined voltage. K_(app) is determined as described above.

Solutions and chemicals: For electrophysiological recordings the external solution is either standard, HBSS supplemented with 10 mM HEPES (pH adjusted to 7.34 with NaOH and the osmolarity adjusted to 320) or Tyrodes salt solution (Sigma, USA) supplemented with 10 mM HEPES (pH adjusted to 7.4 with NaOH: osmolarity=320). The internal pipette solution contains (in mM): NaCl (10), CsF (140), CaCl2 (1), MgCl2 (5), EGTA (1H). HEPES (10: pH 7.4, 305 mOsm). Compounds are prepared first as series of stock solutions in DMSO and then dissolved in external solution; DMSO content in final dilutions did not exceed 0.3%. At this concentration. DMSO does not affect sodium currents. Vehicle solution used to establish base line also contains 0.3% DMSO.

Data analysis Manual Electrophysiology: Data is analyzed off-line using Clampfit software (pClamp, v. 8; Axon Instruments) and graphed using GraphPad Prizm (v. 4.0) software.

Data analysis Automated Electrophysiology: Data is analyzed off-line using Igor Pro (v 6.2.2.2; Wave Metrics, Inc., Lake Oswego, Oreg.) and Microsoft XL (Microsoft Office 2010, v14x. Microsoft, Renton Wash.).

In Vivo Assay for Pain

Compounds of the Invention can be tested for their antinociceptive activity in the formalin model as described in Hunskaar et al., J. Neurosci. Methods 14: 69-76 (1985). Male Swiss Webster NIH mice (20-30 g; Harlan, San Diego, Calif.) can be used in all experiments. Food is withdrawn on the day of the experiment. Mice are placed in Plexiglass jars for at least 1 hour to acclimate to the environment. Following the acclimation period, mice are weighed and given either the compound of interest administered i.p. or p.o., or the appropriate volume of vehicle (for example, 10% Tween-80 or 0.9% saline, and other pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles) as control. Fifteen minutes after the i.p. dosing, and 30 minutes after the p.o. dosing mice are injected with formalin (20 μL of 5% formaldehyde solution in saline) into the dorsal surface of the right hind paw. Mice are transferred to the Plexiglass jars and monitored for the amount of time spent licking or biting the injected paw. Periods of licking and biting are recorded in 5-minute intervals for 1 hour after the formalin injection. All experiments are done in a blinded manner during the light cycle. The early phase of the formalin response is measured as licking/biting between 0-5 minutes, and the late phase is measured from 15-50 minutes. Differences between vehicle and drug treated groups can be analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). A P value <0.05 is considered significant. Compounds are considered to be efficacious for treating acute and chronic pain if they have activity in blocking both the early and second phase of formalin-induced paw-licking activity.

In Vivo Assays for Inflammatory or Neuropathic Pain

Test Animals: Each experiment uses rats weighing between 200-260 g at the start of the experiment. The rats are group-housed and have free access to food and water at all times, except prior to oral administration of a test compound when food is removed for 16 h before dosing. A control group acts as a comparison to rats treated with a Compound of the Invention. The control group is administered the carrier as used for the test compound. The volume of carrier administered to the control group is the same as the volume of carrier and test compound administered to the test group.

Inflammatory Pain: To assess the actions of Compounds of the Invention on the treatment of inflammatory pain, the Freund's complete adjuvant (“FCA”) model of inflammatory pain is used. FCA-induced inflammation of the rat hind paw is associated with the development of persistent inflammatory mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia and provides reliable prediction of the anti-hyperalgesic action of clinically useful analgesic drugs (Bartho et al., Naunyn-Schniedeberg's Archives of Pharmacol. 342:666-670 (1990)). Prior to the injury, the animal is assessed for response to noxious mechanical stimuli by determining the paw withdrawal threshold (PWT), or to noxious thermal stimuli by determining paw withdrawal latency (PWL), as described below (baseline PWT or PWL). Then, the left hind paw of each animal is administered a 50 μL intraplantar injection of 50% FCA. 24 hour post injection, the PWT or PWL is again assessed (pre-administration PWT or PWL). Rats are then administered a single injection of either a test compound or 30 mg/Kg of a positive control compound (e.g., indomethacin). Responses to noxious mechanical or thermal stimuli are then determined 1, 3, 5 and 24 hours post administration (post-administration PWT or PWL). Percentage reversal of hyperalgesia for each animal is defined as:

${\%\mspace{14mu}{reversal}} = {\frac{\begin{matrix} \left\lbrack {\left( {{post}\mspace{14mu}{administration}{\;\mspace{11mu}}{PWT}\mspace{14mu}{or}{\;\mspace{11mu}}{PWL}} \right) -} \right. \\ \left. \left( {{pre}\text{-}{administration}\mspace{14mu}{PWT}\mspace{14mu}{or}{\;\mspace{11mu}}{PWL}} \right) \right\rbrack \end{matrix}}{\left\lbrack {\left( {{baseline}\mspace{14mu}{PWT}\mspace{14mu}{or}\mspace{14mu}{PWL}} \right) - \left( {{pre}\text{-}{administration}{\;\mspace{11mu}}{PWT}\mspace{14mu}{or}{\;\mspace{11mu}}{PWL}} \right)} \right\rbrack} \times 100}$

Neuropathic Pain: To assess the actions of the test compounds for the treatment of neuropathic pain the Seltzer model or the Chung model can be used.

In the Seltzer model, the partial sciatic nerve ligation model of neuropathic pain is used to produce neuropathic hyperalgesia in rats (Seltzer et al., Pain 43:205-218 (1990)). Partial ligation of the left sciatic nerve is performed under isoflurane/O₂ inhalation anesthesia. Following induction of anesthesia, the left thigh of the rat is shaved and the sciatic nerve exposed at high thigh level through a small incision and is carefully cleared of surrounding connective tissues at a site near the trocanther just distal to the point at which the posterior biceps semitendinosus nerve branches off of the common sciatic nerve. A 7-0 silk suture is inserted into the nerve with a ⅜ curved, reversed-cutting mini-needle and tightly ligated so that the dorsal ⅓ to ½ of the nerve thickness is held within the ligature. The wound is closed with a single muscle suture (4-0 nylon (Vicryl)) and vetbond tissue glue. Following surgery, the wound area is dusted with antibiotic powder. Sham-treated rats undergo an identical surgical procedure except that the sciatic nerve is not manipulated. Following surgery, animals are weighed and placed on a warm pad until they recover from anesthesia. Animals are then returned to their home cages until behavioral testing begins, the animals are assessed for response to noxious mechanical stimuli by determining PWT, as described below, prior to surgery (baseline), then immediately prior to and 1, 3, and 5 hours after administration of either drug or vehicle, for the ipsilateral (injured side) rear paw of the animal. Percentage reversal of neuropathic hyperalgesia is defined as:

${\%\mspace{14mu}{reversal}} = {\frac{\left\lbrack {\left( {{post}\mspace{14mu}{administration}\mspace{14mu}{PWT}} \right) - \left( {{pre}\text{-}{administration}\mspace{14mu}{PWT}} \right)} \right\rbrack}{\left\lbrack {\left( {{baseline}\mspace{14mu}{PWT}} \right) - \left( {{pre}\text{-}{administration}\mspace{14mu}{PWT}} \right)} \right\rbrack} \times 100}$

In the Chung model, the spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model of neuropathic pain is used to produce mechanical hyperalgesia, thermal hyperalgesia, and tactile allodynia in rats. Surgery is performed under isoflurane/O₂ inhalation anesthesia. Following induction of anesthesia a 3 cm incision is made and the left paraspinal muscles a separated from the spinous process at the L₄-S₂ levels. The L₆ transverse process is carefully removed with a pair of small rongeurs to identify visually the L₄-L₆ spinal nerves. The left L₅ (or L₅ and L₆) spinal nerve(s) is (are) isolated and tightly ligated with silk thread. A complete hemostasis is confirmed and the wound is sutured using non-absorbable sutures, such as nylon sutures or stainless steel staples. Sham-treated rats undergo an identical surgical procedure except that the spinal nerve(s) is (are) not manipulated. Following surgery animals are weighed, administered a subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of saline or ringers lactate, the wound area is dusted with antibiotic powder and they are kept on a warm pad until they recover from the anesthesia. Animals are then returned to their home cages until behavioral testing begins. The animals are assessed for response to noxious mechanical stimuli by determining PWT, as described below, prior to surgery (baseline), then immediately prior to and 1, 3, and 5 hours after being administered a Compound of the Invention or vehicle, for the left rear paw of the animal. The animals can also be assessed for response to noxious thermal stimuli or for tactile allodynia, as described below. The Chung model for neuropathic pain is described in Kim et al., Pain 50(3):355-363 (1992).

Tactile Allodynia: Sensitivity to non-noxious mechanical stimuli can be measured in animals to assess tactile allodynia. Rats are transferred to an elevated testing cage with a wire mesh floor and allowed to acclimate for five to ten minutes. A series of von Frey monofilaments are applied to the plantar surface of the hindpaw to determine the animal's withdrawal threshold. The first filament used possesses a buckling weight of 9.1 gms (0.96 log value) and is applied up to five times to see if it elicits a withdrawal response. If the animal has a withdrawal response, then the next lightest filament in the series would be applied up to five times to determine if it also could elicit a response. This procedure is repeated with subsequent lesser filaments until there is no response and the identity of the lightest filament that elicits a response is recorded. If the animal does not have a withdrawal response from the initial 9.1 gms filament, then subsequent filaments of increased weight are applied until a filament elicits a response and the identity of this filament is recorded. For each animal, three measurements are made at every time point to produce an average withdrawal threshold determination. Tests can be performed prior to, and at 1, 2, 4 and 24 hours post drug administration.

Mechanical Hyperalgesia: Representative Compounds of the Invention can be tested in the SNL-induced mechanical hyperalgesia model in rats. Sensitivity to noxious mechanical stimuli are measured in animals using the paw pressure test to assess mechanical hyperalgesia. In rats, hind paw withdrawal thresholds (“PWT”), measured in grams, in response to a noxious mechanical stimulus are determined using an analgesymeter (Model 7200, commercially available from Ugo Basile of Italy), as described in Stein (Biochemistry & Behavior 31: 451-455 (1988)). The rat's paw is placed on a small platform, and a punctuate weight was applied in a graded manner up to a maximum of 250 grams. The endpoint is taken as the weight at which the paw is completely withdrawn. PWT is determined once for each rat at each time point. PWT can be measured only in the injured paw, or in both the injured and non-injured paw. Rats are tested prior to surgery to determine a baseline, or normal, PWT. Rats are tested again 2 to 3 weeks post-surgery, prior to, and at different times after (e.g. 1, 3, 5 and 24 hr) drug administration. An increase in PWT following drug administration indicates that the test compound reduces mechanical hyperalgesia.

In Vivo Assay for Anticonvulsant Activity

Compounds of the Invention can be tested for in vivo anticonvulsant activity after i.v., p.o., or i.p. injection using any of a number of anticonvulsant tests in mice or rats, including the maximum electroshock seizure test (MES). Maximum electroshock seizures are induced in male NSA mice weighing between 15-20 g and in male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 200-225 g by application of current (for mice: 50 mA, 60 pulses/see, 0.8 msec pulse width, 1 sec duration, D.C.; for rats: 99 mA, 125 pulses/sec, 0.8 msec pulse width, 2 sec duration. D.C.) using a Ugo Basile ECT device (Model 7801). Mice are restrained by gripping the loose skin on their dorsal surface and saline-coated corneal electrodes are held lightly against the two corneae. Rats are allowed free movement on the bench top and ear-clip electrodes are used. Current is applied and animals are observed for a period of up to 30 seconds for the occurrence of a tonic hindlimb extensor response. A tonic seizure is defined as a hindlimb extension in excess of 90 degrees from the plane of the body. Results can be treated in a quantal manner.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

Compounds of the Invention can be administered to a mammal in the form of a raw chemical without any other components present. Compounds of the Invention can also be administered to a mammal as part of a pharmaceutical composition containing the compound combined with a suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Such a carrier can be selected from pharmaceutically acceptable excipients and auxiliaries.

Pharmaceutical compositions within the scope of the Invention include all compositions where a Compound of the Invention is combined with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. In one embodiment, the Compound of the Invention is present in the composition in an amount that is effective to achieve its intended therapeutic purpose. While individual needs may vary, a determination of optimal ranges of effective amounts of each compound is within the skill of the art. Typically, a Compound of the Invention can be administered to a mammal, e.g., a human, orally at a dose of from about 0.0025 to about 1500 mg per kg body weight of the mammal, or an equivalent amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, per day to treat the particular disorder. A useful oral dose of a Compound of the Invention administered to a mammal is from about 0.0025 to about 50 mg per kg body weight of the mammal, or an equivalent amount of the pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof. For intramuscular injection, the dose is typically about one-half of the oral dose.

A unit oral dose may comprise from about 0.01 mg to about 1 g of the Compound of the Invention, e.g., about 0.01 ng to about 500 mg, about 0.01 mg to about 250 mg, about 0.01 mg to about 100 mg, 0.01 mg to about 50 mg, e.g., about 0.1 mg to about 10 mg, of the compound. The unit dose can be administered one or more times daily, e.g., as one or more tablets or capsules, each containing from about 0.01 mg to about 1 g of the compound, or an equivalent amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.

A pharmaceutical composition of the Invention can be administered to any animal that may experience the beneficial effects of a Compound of the Invention. Foremost among such animals are mammals, e.g., humans and companion animals, although the Invention is not intended to be so limited.

A pharmaceutical composition of the Invention can be administered by any means that achieves its intended purpose. For example, administration can be by the oral, parenteral, subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, transdermal, intranasal, transmucosal, rectal, intravaginal or buccal route, or by inhalation. The dosage administered and route of administration will vary, depending upon the circumstances of the particular subject, and taking into account such factors as age, gender, health, and weight of the recipient, condition or disorder to be treated, kind of concurrent treatment, if any, frequency of treatment, and the nature of the effect desired.

In one embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition of the Invention can be administered orally and is formulated into tablets, dragees, capsules or an oral liquid preparation. In one embodiment, the oral formulation comprises extruded multiparticulates comprising the Compound of the Invention.

Alternatively, a pharmaceutical composition of the Invention can be administered rectally, and is formulated in suppositories.

Alternatively, a pharmaceutical composition of the Invention can be administered by injection.

Alternatively, a pharmaceutical composition of the Invention can be administered transdermally.

Alternatively, a pharmaceutical composition of the Invention can be administered by inhalation or by intranasal or transmucosal administration.

Alternatively, a pharmaceutical composition of the Invention can be administered by the intravaginal route.

A pharmaceutical composition of the Invention can contain from about 0.01 to 99 percent by weight, and preferably from about 0.25 to 75 percent by weight, of active compound(s).

A method of the Invention, such as a method for treating a disorder responsive to the blockade of sodium channels in an animal in need thereof, can further comprise administering a second therapeutic agent to the animal in combination with a Compound of the Invention. In one embodiment, the other therapeutic agent is administered in an effective amount.

Effective amounts of the other therapeutic agents are known to those skilled in the art. However, it is well within the skilled artisan's purview to determine the other therapeutic agent's optimal effective-amount range.

Compounds of the Invention (i.e., the first therapeutic agent) and the second therapeutic agent can act additively or, in on embodiment, synergistically. Alternatively, the second therapeutic agent can be used to treat a disorder or condition that is different from the disorder or condition for which the first therapeutic agent is being administered, and which disorder or condition may or may not be a condition or disorder as defined herein. In one embodiment, a Compound of the Invention is administered concurrently with a second therapeutic agent; for example, a single composition comprising both an effective amount of a Compound of the Invention and an effective amount of the second therapeutic agent can be administered. Accordingly, the Invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a combination of a Compound of the Invention, the second therapeutic agent, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Alternatively, a first pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a Compound of the Invention and a second pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of the second therapeutic agent can be concurrently administered. In another embodiment, an effective amount of a Compound of the Invention is administered prior or subsequent to administration of an effective amount of the second therapeutic agent. In this embodiment, the Compound of the Invention is administered while the second therapeutic agent exerts its therapeutic effect, or the second therapeutic agent is administered while the Compound of the Invention exerts its therapeutic effect for treating a disorder or condition.

The second therapeutic agent can be an opioid agonist, a non-opioid analgesic, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, an antimigraine agent, a Cox-II inhibitor, a β-adrenergic blocker, an anticonvulsant, an antidepressant, an anticancer agent, an agent for treating addictive disorder, an agent for treating Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism, an agent for treating anxiety, an agent for treating epilepsy, an agent for treating a seizure, an agent for treating a stroke, an agent for treating a pruritic condition, an agent for treating psychosis, an agent for treating ALS, an agent for treating a cognitive disorder, an agent for treating a migraine, an agent for treating vomiting, an agent for treating dyskinesia, or an agent for treating depression, or a mixture thereof.

A pharmaceutical composition of the Invention is manufactured in a manner which itself will be known in view of the instant disclosure, for example, by means of conventional mixing, granulating, dragee-making, dissolving, extrusion, or lyophilizing processes. Thus, pharmaceutical compositions for oral use can be obtained by combining the active compound with solid excipients, optionally grinding the resulting mixture and processing the mixture of granules, after adding suitable auxiliaries, if desired or necessary, to obtain tablets or dragee cores.

Suitable excipients include fillers such as saccharides (for example, lactose, sucrose, mannitol or sorbitol), cellulose preparations, calcium phosphates (for example, tricalcium phosphate or calcium hydrogen phosphate), as well as binders such as starch paste (using, for example, maize starch, wheat starch, rice starch, or potato starch), gelatin, tragacanth, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and/or polyvinyl pyrrolidone. If desired, one or more disintegrating agents can be added, such as the above-mentioned starches and also carboxymethyl-starch, cross-linked polyvinyl pyrrolidone, agar, or alginic acid or a salt thereof, such as sodium alginate.

Auxiliaries are typically flow-regulating agents and lubricants such as, for example, silica, talc, stearic acid or salts thereof (e.g., magnesium stearate or calcium stearate), and polyethylene glycol. Dragee cores are provided with suitable coatings that are resistant to gastric juices. For this purpose, concentrated saccharide solutions can be used, which may optionally contain gum arabic, talc, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol and/or titanium dioxide, lacquer solutions and suitable organic solvents or solvent mixtures. In order to produce coatings resistant to gastric juices, solutions of suitable cellulose preparations such as acetylcellulose phthalate or hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose phthalate can be used. Dye stuffs or pigments can be added to the tablets or dragee coatings, for example, for identification or in order to characterize combinations of active compound doses.

Examples of other pharmaceutical preparations that can be used orally include push-fit capsules made of gelatin, or soft, sealed capsules made of gelatin and a plasticizer such as glycerol or sorbitol. The push-fit capsules can contain a compound in the form of granules, which can be mixed with fillers such as lactose, binders such as starches, and/or lubricants such as talc or magnesium stearate and, optionally, stabilizers, or in the form of extruded multiparticulates. In soft capsules, the active compounds are preferably dissolved or suspended in suitable liquids, such as fatty oils or liquid paraffin. In addition, stabilizers can be added.

Possible pharmaceutical preparations for rectal administration include, for example, suppositories, which consist of a combination of one or more active compounds with a suppository base. Suitable suppository bases include natural and synthetic triglycerides, and paraffin hydrocarbons, among others. It is also possible to use gelatin rectal capsules consisting of a combination of active compound with a base material such as, for example, a liquid triglyceride, polyethylene glycol, or paraffin hydrocarbon.

Suitable formulations for parenteral administration include aqueous solutions of the active compound in a water-soluble form such as, for example, a water-soluble salt, alkaline solution, or acidic solution. Alternatively, a suspension of the active compound can be prepared as an oily suspension. Suitable lipophilic solvents or vehicles for such as suspension may include fatty oils (for example, sesame oil), synthetic fatty acid esters (for example, ethyl oleate), triglycerides, or a polyethylene glycol such as polyethylene glycol-400 (PEG-400). An aqueous suspension may contain one or more substances to increase the viscosity of the suspension, including, for example, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sorbitol, and/or dextran. The suspension may optionally contain stabilizers.

The following examples are illustrative, but not limiting, of the compounds, compositions, and methods of the Invention. Suitable modifications and adaptations of the variety of conditions and parameters normally encountered in clinical therapy and which are obvious to those skilled in the art in view of this disclosure are within the spirit and scope of the Invention.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Synthesis of (S)-6-((1-amino-1-oxopropan-2-yl)amino)-2-chloropyrimidine-4-carboxamide (Compound 5)

A mixture of Compound 1 (34.828 g, 0.200 mol, Sigma-Aldrich), phosphorus oxychloride (100 mL, 1.092 mol) and 20 drops of DMF were heated at 110° C. overnight. After cooling to RT the dark mixture was diluted with hexanes (500 mL) and vigorously stirred. The hexane layer was decanted, quickly washed with water (100 mL), brine (100 mL) and dried over MgSO₄. The organic layer was filtered and carefully evaporated in vacuo to give Compound 2 as a light yellow liquid (26.13 g). Yield 62%

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.93 (s, 1H).

To a solution of Compound 2 (26.13 g, 123.6 mmol) in Et₂O (500 mL) was added a mixture of 0.5M NH₃ in dioxane (250 mL, 125 mmol) and DIPEA (22 mL, 126 mmol) dropwise over 50 min. After stirring at RT overnight the reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo to give a residue that was purified by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 10-50% EtOAc/hexanes). The product obtained was triturated with 10 mL 10% EctOAc/hexanes and filtered to give Compound 3 as an orange crystalline solid (9.74 g). Yield 41%

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 8.40 (br s, 1H), 8.16 (br s, 1H), 8.10 (s, 1H); LC/MS: m/z=192.2 [M+H]⁺ (Calc: 191.4).

To a solution of Compound 3 (4.80 g, 25.0 mmol) in ACN (100 ml) was added (S)-2-aminopropane carboxamide hydrochloride (Compound 4) (3.18 g, 25.54 mmol) and DIPEA (9.60 mL, 55.11 mmol). The mixture was heated at 50° C. overnight then concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 20-60% acetone/hexanes) to give Compound 5 as a pale tan powder (4.81 g). Yield 79%; LC/MS: m/z=244.5 [M+H]⁺ (Calc: 243.7).

Example 2 Synthesis of (2R,3S)-3-(6-bromopyridin-2-yl)-2,3-dihydroxypropanamide (Compound 10)

To a suspension of NaH (60% in mineral oil, 0.77 g, 19.4 mmol) in THF (50 mL) at 0° C. was slowly added Compound 7 (3.2 mL, 16.1 mmol). Gas evolution occurred and most of the solids dissolved. The reaction was stirred at 0° C. for 15 min then Compound 6 (3.00 g, 16.1 mmol) was added in several small portions. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 15 min then warmed to RT and stirred overnight. The reaction was carefully quenched with water and extracted with EtOAc (2×). The combined organic layers were dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 0-20% EtOAc/hexanes) to afford Compound 8 as a white solid (2.30 g, yield 56%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 7.55-7.62 (m, 2H), 7.46 (d, J=7.5 Hz. 1H), 7.37 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 6.97 (d, J=15.6 Hz, 1H), 4.29 (q, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.35 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 3H): LC/MS: m/z=256.0/258.0 [M+H]⁺ (Calc: 256.1).

To a solution of Compound 8 (2.30 g, 8.98 mmol) in t-BuOH (40 mL) and water (40 mL) at 0° C. was added AD-mix-alpha (12.6 g; 1.4 g/mmol of vinyl substrate, Sigma-Aldrich). The reaction mixture was stirred at RT overnight then diluted with water and extracted with EtOAc (3×). The combined organic extracts were washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 50% EtOAc/hexanes) to provide Compound 9 as a white solid (1.68 g, yield 65%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 7.59-7.64 (m, 1H), 7.45 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 2H), 5.11 (dd, J=8.1, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 4.63 (dd, J=6.4, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 4.35 (q, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 3.78 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 3.25 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 1.36 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 3H); LC/MS: m/z=290.0/292.0 [M+H]⁺ (Calc: 290.1).

To a flask containing Compound 9 (1.20 g, 4.14 mmol) was added 7M NH in MeOH (15 ml. 105 mmol). The flask was capped with a rubber septum and the reaction was stirred at RT overnight. The reaction was concentrated to afford pure Compound 10 as a white solid (1.05 g. yield 97%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, MeOH-d₄) δ: 7.71 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.63 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.47 (d, J=7.7 Hz. 1H), 5.12 (d, J=1.8 Hz, 1H), 4.50 (d, J=1.8 Hz, 1H); LC/MS: m/z=261.0/263.0 [M+H]⁺ (Calc: 261.1).

Example 3 Synthesis of 6-bromo-N-(1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)pyridine-2-sulfonamide (Compound 13)

To a solution of Compound 12 (0.079 g, 0.780 mmol) and TEA (0.24 ml, 1.715 mmol) in DCM (5 mL) cooled to 0° C. was added Compound 11 (0.20 g, 0.780 mmol). The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 1 h, quenched with water and extracted with DCM. The organic extracts were dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated to give Compound 13 as an orange oil that was used in subsequent steps without purification (0.21 g, yield 84%): LC/MS: m/z=322.8 [M+H]⁺ (Calc: 321.2).

Example 4 Synthesis of tert-butyl 5-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-carboxylate (Compound 16)

Argon was bubbled through a mixture of Compound 14 (2.00 g, 5.57 mmol, ASW MedChem), Compound 15 (1.51 g, 5.57 mmol), Pd(PPh₃)Cl₂ (195 mg, 0.28 mmol) and Cs₂CO₃ (3.63 g. 11.13 mmol) in 2:2:1 DME/EtOH/water (10) mL) for 1 min. The mixture was heated at 85° C. for 16 h, cooled to RT and DCM and water were added. The layers were separated and the aqueous layer extracted with DCM. The combined organic extracts were washed with water, dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 100% EtOAc/hexanes) to provide Compound 16 as an off-white foam (1.28 g, yield 61%): LC/MS: n/z=400.2 [M+Na]⁺ (Calc: 377.4).

In a similar manner, the following compounds were prepared:

-   tert-Butyl     5-(5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl)-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-carboxylate     (Compound 17): LC/MS: m/z=379.2 [M+H]⁺ (Calc: 378.4). -   tert-Butyl     5-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-carboxylate     (Compound 18): LC/MS: m/z=378.2 [M+H]⁺ (Calc: 377.4). -   tert-Butyl     5-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-carboxylate     (Compound 19): LC/MS: m/z=378.2 [M+H]⁺ (Calc: 377.4). -   tert-Butyl     5-(cyclohex-1-en-1-yl)-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-carboxylate     (Compound 20): LCMS: n/z=314.2 [M+H]⁺ (Calc: 313.4).

Example 5 Preparation of TFA salt of (S)-6-((1-amino-1-oxopropan-2-yl)amino)-2-(5-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)pyrimidine-4-carboxamide (Compound 22)

TFA (2.0 mL) was added to a solution of Compound 16 (1.28 g, 3.39 mmol) in DCM (20 mL) at 0° C. The mixture was stirred at RT for 16 h, cooled to 0° C. and 1M aq. NaOH (20 mL) was added. The layers were separated and the aqueous layer extracted with DCM.

The combined organic extracts were washed with water, dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated to give Compound 21 as a yellow oil that was used directly in the next step without purification.

Compound 21: LC/MS: n/z=278.2 [M+H]⁺ (Calc: 277.3).

A mixture of Compound 21 (100 mg, 0.361 mmol), Compound 5 (88 mg, 0.361 mmol) and Cs₂CO₃ (353 mg, 1.08 mmol) in DMF was stirred at 100° C. for 16 h. The mixture was concentrated and the residue purified by reverse-phase prep HPLC (C18, 0-100% 0.1% TFA in ACN/0.1% TFA in water) to give TFA salt of Compound 22 as a white solid (85 mg). Yield 39%: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, MeOH-d₄): δ 7.66 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 2H), 7.43 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 2H), 7.23-7.26 (m, 2H), 7.10-7.16 (m, 1H), 6.51 (s, 1H), 4.88 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 2H), 4.40 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 1H), 3.73-3.84 (m, 2H), 2.74-2.84 (m, 2H), 1.42 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 3H); LC/MS: m/z=485.1 [M+H]⁺ (Calc: 484.5).

In a similar manner, the following compounds were prepared:

Bis TFA salt of (S)-6-((1-amino-1-oxopropan-2-yl)amino)-2-((5-(trifluoromethyl)-pyridin-2-yl)-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)pyrimidine-4-carboxamide (Compound 23):

¹H NMR (400 MHz, MeOH-d₄): δ 8.87 (d, J=0.7 Hz, 1H), 8.15 (dd, J=8.1, 2.2 Hz, 1H), 7.66 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.27-7.37 (m, 3H), 6.53 (s, 1H), 4.83-4.98 (m, 2H), 4.44 (q, J=6.5 Hz, 1H), 3.79 (br. s., 2H), 2.88-3.05 (m, 2H), 1.37-1.49 (m, 3H); LC/MS: m/z=486.1 [M+H]⁺ (Calc: 485.5).

TFA salt of (S)-6-((1-amino-1-oxopropan-2-yl)amino)-2-(5-(2-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl)-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)pyrimidine-4-carboxamide (Compound 24):

¹H NMR (400 MHz, MeOH-d₄): δ 7.72 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.54-7.61 (n, 1), 7.46-7.52 (m, 1H), 7.16-7.26 (m, 3H), 7.00 (d, J=7.3 Hz. 1H), 6.51 (s, 1H), 4.82-4.97 (m, 2H), 4.40 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 1H), 3.89 (d, J=5.5 Hz, 1H), 3.61 (ddd, J=12.2, 7.5, 4.5 Hz, 1H), 2.50-2.61 (m, 1H), 2.35-2.46 (m, 1H), 1.38-1.45 (m, 3H); LC/MS: m/z=485.1 [M+H]⁺ (Calc: 484.5).

TFA salt of 6-(5-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)picolinamide (Compound 25):

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 7.95-8.03 (m, 1H), 7.75 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 211), 7.63 (t, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.54 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 2H), 7.48 (hr. s., 1H), 7.31-7.36 (m, 1H), 7.25-7.30 (m, 1H), 7.22 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 1H), 7.12 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 6.94 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 4.80 (s, 2H), 3.69 (t, J=5.7 Hz, 2H), 2.72 (t, J=5.6 Hz, 2H); LC/MS: m/z=398.1 [M+H]⁺ (Calc: 397.4).

TFA salt of (2S,3R)-2,3-dihydroxy-3-(6-(5-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)pyridin-2-yl)propanamide (Compound 26):

¹H NMR (400 MHz, MeOH-d₄): δ 7.90 (dd, J=9.1, 7.4 Hz, 1H), 7.68 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 2H), 7.47 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 2H), 7.27-7.33 (m, 2H), 7.15-7.24 (m, 2H), 6.98 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 5.07 (d, J=3.3 Hz, 1H), 4.81 (s. 2H), 4.29 (d, J=3.5 Hz, 1H), 3.68 (t, J=5.9 Hz, 2H), 2.94 (t, J=5.9 Hz, 2H); LC/MS: n/z=458.1 [M+H]⁺ (Calc: 457.4).

Bis TFA salt of (S)-6-((1-amino-1-oxopropan-2-yl)amino)-2-(5-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)pyrimidine-4-carboxamide (Compound 27):

¹H NMR (400 MHz, MeOH-d₄): δ 7.53-7.63 (m, 2H), 7.49-7.53 (m, 2H), 7.23-7.30 (m, 2H), 7.12-7.17 (m, 1H), 6.54 (s, 1H), 4.82-4.95 (m, 2H), 4.44 (q, J=6.8 Hz, 1H), 3.76 (br. s., 2H), 2.75-2.87 (m, 2H), 1.43 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 3H); LC/MS: m/c=485.1 [M+H]⁺ (Calc: 484.5).

TFA salt of (S)-6-((1-amino-1-oxopropan-2-yl)amino)-2-(5-(cyclohex-1-en-1-yl)-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)pyrimidine-4-carboxamide (Compound 28):

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 7.97 (br, s, 1H), 7.58-7.74 (m, 1H), 7.53 (br, s, 1H), 7.38 (br, s, 1H), 7.02-7.12 (m, 2H), 6.88 (d, J=5.7 Hz. 2H), 6.41 (br, s, 1H), 5.45 (br, s, 1H), 4.69-4.92 (m, 2H), 4.30-4.39 (m, 1H), 3.84-3.94 (m, 1H), 3.70-3.80 (m, 1H), 2.66-2.75 (m, 2H), 2.07 (d, J=4.1 Hz, 4H), 1.53-1.70 (m, 4H), 1.25 (d, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); LC/MS: m/z=421.2 [M+H]⁺ (Calc: 420.5).

TFA salt of N-(1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)-6-(5-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)pyridine-2-sulfonamide (Compound 29):

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 8.45 (s, 1H), 7.75 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 2H), 7.69 (dd, J=8.5, 7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.52 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.23-7.30 (m, 1H), 7.12 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 6.99-7.09 (m, 3H), 6.32-6.67 (m, 1H), 4.59 (s, 2H), 3.54-3.59 (m, 2H), 2.66 (t, J=5.7 Hz, 2H); LC/MS: n/z=518.1 [M+H]⁺ (Calc: 517.6).

6-Chloro-4-(5-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)picolinonitrile (Compound 30): LC/MS: m/z=414.2 [M+H]⁺ (Calc: 413.8).

Example 6 Preparation of TFA salt of (S)-6-((1-amino-1-oxopropan-2-yl)amino)-2-(5-cyclohexyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)pyrimidine-4-carboxamide (Compound 31)

A solution of Compound 28 (0.40 g, 0.951 mmol) in 20% AcOH/MeOH (20 mL) was added 10% Pd/C (0.10 g) and the mixture hydrogenated at 60 psi for 19 h. The mixture was filtered through Celite and concentrated. The residue was purified by reverse-phase prep HPLC (C18, 0-100% 0.1% TFA in ACN/0.1% TFA in water) to give TFA salt of Compound 31 as a white solid (0.29 g, yield 57%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, MeOH-d₄): δ 7.10 (d, J=4.5 Hz, 2H), 6.95-7.01 (m, 1H), 6.51 (s, 1H), 4.79-4.85 (m, 2H), 4.44 (q, J=7.0 Hz, 1H), 3.80-3.92 (m, 2H), 2.86-2.98 (m, 2H), 2.64-2.75 (m, 1H), 1.78 (d, J=5.8 Hz, 2H), 1.65-1.74 (m, 3H), 1.44 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 3H), 1.16-1.41 (m, 5H): LC/MS: m/z=423.2 [M+H]⁺ (Calc: 422.5).

Example 7 Preparation of TFA salt of (S)-6-(1,2-dihydroxyethyl)-4-(5-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)picolinamide (Compound 35)

Compound 35 was prepared from Compound 30 in a manner similar to those described in PCT publication No. WO 2012/035421 A2. Compound 35: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 8.74 (br, s, 1H), 8.33 (br, s, 1H), 7.78 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 2H), 7.64-7.72 (m, 1H), 7.56 (d, J=7.9 Hz. 2H), 7.31-7.40 (m, 2H), 7.11-7.26 (m, 2H), 4.80-4.91 (m, 3H), 3.67-3.76 (m, 2H), 3.55-3.64 (m, 2H), 2.88 (t, J=5.7 Hz, 2H); C/MS: r/z=458.1 [M+H]⁺ (Calc: 457.4).

In a similar manner, the following compound was prepared:

TFA salt of (R)-6-(1,2-dihydroxyethyl)-4-(5-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3,4-dihydro-isoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)picolinamide (Compound 36):

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 8.75 (br, s, 1H), 8.33 (br, s, 1H), 7.78 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 2H), 7.65-7.72 (m, 1H), 7.56 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 2H), 7.30-7.39 (m, 2H), 7.10-7.26 (m, 2H), 4.79-4.91 (m, 3H), 3.67-3.76 (m, 2H), 3.54-3.66 (m, 2H), 2.88 (t, J=5.7 Hz, 2H). LC/MS: m/z=458.1 [M+H]⁺ (Calc: 457.4).

Example 8

Representative Compounds of the Invention have been tested in the FLIPR® or FLIPR^(TETRA)® assay and/or EP assays for sodium channel blocking activity. The assays are described in detail above.

Representative values obtained from the assays are presented in TABLE 3.

TABLE 3 Evaluation of compounds as sodium channel (Na_(v)) blockers Na_(v)1.7 Activity (μM) Na_(v)1.7 Activity (μM) FLIPR assay EP assay Compound IC₅₀ K_(i) 22 0.428 ± 0.069 0.317 ± 0.079 23 >20 24 2.354 ± 0.125 25 0.987 ± 0.072 26 0.251 ± 0.017 0.051 ± 0.014 27 1.523 ± 0.122 0.240 ± 0.041 28 2.836 ± 0.112 29 0.291 ± 0.019 0.535 ± 0.145 31 2.198 ± 0.898 35 0.502 ± 0.031 0.232 ± 0.065 36 1.539 ± 0.229 0.257 ± 0.046

Having now fully described this disclosure, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the same can be performed within a wide and equivalent range of conditions, formulations and other parameters without affecting the scope of the disclosure or any embodiment thereof.

Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

All patents and publications cited herein are fully incorporated by reference in their entirety. 

We claim:
 1. A compound of Formula IV:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, A is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, 5- to 6-membered heteroaryl, and saturated or unsaturated cyclo(C₅₋₆)alkyl, wherein each of said phenyl, said 5- to 6-membered heteroaryl, and said saturated or unsaturated cyclo(C₅₋₆)alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted by one or two substituents independently selected from the group of i) alkyl that is unsubstituted or substituted by one or three substituents independently selected from the group of halogen, amino, (alkyl)amino, (dialkyl)amino, hydroxyl, carboxamido, (alkoxy)carbonyl, [(alkoxy)carbonyl]amino, carboxy, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, and sulfonamido, wherein said cycloalkyl and said heterocyclyl, each independently, are unsubstituted or substituted by one or two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, halogen, amino, (alkyl)amino, carboxamido, alkyl, haloalkyl, carboxy, (carboxy)alkyl, (carboxamido)alkyl, (alkyl)carbonyl, (alkoxy)carbonyl, and alkoxy; ii) amino that is unsubstituted or substituted by one to two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, (carboxamido)alkyl, (amino)alkyl, (alkyl)carbonyl, (alkyl)sulfonyl, (alkoxy)carbonyl, (cycloalkyl)carbonyl, cycloalkyl, and heterocyclyl; iii) alkoxy that is unsubstituted or substituted by one to three same or different halogen; iv) carboxamido; v) hydroxyl; vi) halogen; and vii) sulfonamido; One of R¹ and R² is H, —C(O)N(R^(a))(R^(b)), or —[CH(OH)]_(n)R⁸, the other is H, —C(O)N(R^(a))(R^(b)), —N(R^(d))(R^(e)), —[CH(OH)]_(n)R⁸, —S(O)₂N(R^(a))(R^(b)), —OR⁷, or —CH₂—R⁸, provided that R¹ and R² cannot be both H; n is 0, 1, or 2; R⁷ is cycloalkyl, or substituted heterocyclyl; R⁸ is H, alkyl, heterocyclyl, or —C(O)N(R¹²)(R¹³); R^(a), each independently, is H, alkyl, heteroaryl, or heterocyclyl; R^(b), each independently, is H, alkyl, heteroaryl, or heterocyclyl; or R^(a) and R^(b), taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they both are attached, form a 3- to 8-membered heterocyclyl; R^(d) and R^(e), each independently, are selected from the group of 1) H; 2) alkyl that is unsubstituted or substituted by one or three substituents independently selected from the group of amino, (alkyl)amino, (alkyl)carbonyl, (alkoxy)carbonyl, carboxy, aryl, heteroaryl, ureido, guanidino, halogen, hydroxyl, (alkyl)sulfanyl, sulfanyl, and caboxamido; 3) heterocyclyl that is unsubstituted or substituted by one or two substituents independently selected from the group of halogen, alkyl, amino, (alkyl)amino, (alkyl)carbonyl, carboxy, (alkoxy)carbonyl, and caboxamido; 4) (alkyl)carbonyl that is unsubstituted or substituted by one or two substituents independently selected from the group of amino, hydroxyl, and alkoxy; and 5) (alkyl)sulfonyl that is unsubstituted or substituted by one or two substituents independently selected from the group of halogen, heterocyclyl, and alkoxy; or R^(d) and R^(e), taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they both are attached, form a 5- to 6-membered heterocyclyl that is unsubstituted or substituted by one or two same or different substituents selected from the group of hydroxyl, carboxamido, (C₁₋₃)alkoxy, (C₁₋₃)alkyl, (C₁₋₃alkyl)carbonyl, and halo(C₁₋₃)alkyl, and One of R¹² and R¹³ is H, the other is H or alkyl.
 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein A is phenyl.
 3. The compound of claim 1, wherein A is 6-membered heteroaryl.
 4. The compound of claim 3, wherein A is pyridyl, pyrimidyl, or triazinyl.
 5. The compound of claim 1, wherein A is saturated or unsaturated cyclo(C₅₋₆)alkyl that is cyclohexyl or cyclohexenyl.
 6. A compound selected from the group of: (S)-6-((1-amino-1-oxopropan-2-yl)amino)-2-(5-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)pyrimidine-4-carboxamide (Compound 22); (S)-6-((1-amino-1-oxopropan-2-yl)amino)-2-(5-(5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl)-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)pyrimidine-4-carboxamide (Compound 23); (S)-6-((1-amino-1-oxopropan-2-yl)amino)-2-(5-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)pyrimidine-4-carboxamide (Compound 24); (S)-6-((1-amino-1-oxopropan-2-yl)amino)-2-(5-(3-(trifluoro-methyl)phenyl)-3,4-dihydro-isoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)pyrimidine-4-carboxamide (Compound 27); (S)-6-((1-amino-1-oxopropan-2-yl)amino)-2-(5-(cyclohex-1-en-1-yl)-3,4-dihydro-isoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)pyrimidine-4-carboxamide (Compound 28); (S)-6-((1-amino-1-oxopropan-2-yl)amino)-2-(5-cyclohexyl-3,4-dihydro-isoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)pyrimidine-4-carboxamide (Compound 31); (S)-6-(1,2-dihydroxyethyl)-4-(5-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3,4-dihydro-isoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)picolinamide (Compound 35); and (R)-6-(1,2-dihydroxyethyl)-4-(5-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3,4-dihydro-isoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)picolinamide (Compound 36); or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 7. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 1 a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.
 8. A method for treating pain or providing local anesthesia in a mammal identified as in need thereof, comprising administering to said mammal an effective amount of a compound of claim
 1. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said method is for preemptively or palliatively treating pain.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said pain is selected from the group consisting of chronic pain, inflammatory pain, neuropathic pain, acute pain, and surgical pain.
 11. The compound of claim 1, wherein R² is —N(R^(d))(R^(e)), and one of R^(d) and R^(e) is H, the other is selected from the group consisting of:


12. The compound of claim 1, wherein R² is —N(R^(d))(R^(e)), and R^(d) and R^(e), taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they both are attached, form a 5- to 6-membered heterocyclyl selected from the group consisting of

wherein said 5- to 6-membered heterocyclyl is unsubstituted or substituted by one or two same or different substituents selected from the group of hydroxyl, carboxamido, (C₁₋₃)alkoxy, (C₁₋₃)alkyl, (C₁₋₃alkyl)carbonyl, and halo(C₁₋₃)alkyl.
 13. The compound of claim 1, wherein R² is —OR, and R⁷ is heterocyclyl selected from the group consisting of:

wherein u is 1, 2, or
 3. 14. The compound of claim 1, wherein R² is —[CH(OH)]2R⁸; and R⁸ is H, (C₁₋₃)alkyl, or —C(O)NH₂.
 15. The compound of claim 14, wherein R² is selected from the group the group consisting of: 